ScoutIndex

DET DET

Sam LaPorta

TE

A 2nd-round pick (34th overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Iowa, Sam LaPorta has built an NFL career since. He's currently with DET, in his 4th season in the league. He graded out among the best TEs in the league last season — a 88.1 ScoutIndex Rating, the 96th percentile at the position. His target share stands out most — the 98th percentile at the position. Across 4 NFL seasons, he has totaled 213 catches for 2,420 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Size

6'3", 245#

College

Iowa

Draft

Rd 2, 34th overall (2023)

Seasons

2023–2026

2023 ScoutIndex Rating · TE

Methodology
85.8

97th percentile among TEs

17 games · 120 targets

Role×0.14+2.42
Hands×0.1+1.19
Volume×0.12+2.67
Total EPA×0.22+2.99
EPA/target×0.3+1.10
Yards/target×0.12+0.23

Week 1 projection · vs NO

Methodology
Rec3.8 (1–6)53% 3.5+
Rec3.8 (1–6)53% 3.5+
Rec3.8 (1–6)53% 3.5+
Rec3.8 (1–6)53% 3.5+
Rec3.8 (1–6)53% 3.5+
Rec yds44.2 (10.2–78.1)48% 45.5+
Rec yds44.2 (10.2–78.1)48% 45.5+
Rec yds44.2 (10.2–78.1)48% 45.5+
Rec yds44.2 (10.2–78.1)48% 45.5+
Rec yds44.2 (10.2–78.1)48% 45.5+
Rec TD0.2 (0–1)21% 0.5+
Rec TD0.2 (0–1)21% 0.5+
Rec TD0.2 (0–1)21% 0.5+
Rec TD0.2 (0–1)21% 0.5+
Rec TD0.2 (0–1)21% 0.5+

Mean (10th–90th percentile) · recent form × matchup. Informational, not wagering advice.

2023 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismReceivingRoleImpact

group averages

Athleticism

Speed77▶

Percentile of 40-yard dash time among TEs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.

Burst62▶

Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine TEs.

Agility88▶

Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine TEs (faster = higher).

Size14▶

Height/weight z-score vs. the TE cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).

Receiving

Hands56▶

Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.

Deep Threat81▶

Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.

YAC Ability14▶

Yards after catch ÷ reception.

Role

Target Share98▶

Share of the team's targets while on the field, target-weighted across the season.

Air-Yards Share97▶

Share of the team's total air yards, target-weighted across the season.

Impact

Efficiency89▶

Receiving EPA ÷ target — the Rating's largest component.

Volume97▶

Total targets this season.

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2026DET995273163
2025DET88.19404893
2024DET79.316607267
2023DET85.81748688910

Career profile

Sam LaPorta has appeared in 47 regular-season games across 4 NFL seasons on file, all with DET.

He has rushed for 4 yards and 0 touchdowns. As a receiver he has caught 213 passes for 2,420 yards and 23 touchdowns. His most productive receiving season was 2023 with DET: 889 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 games.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2025: a 88.1, in the 96th percentile among TEs that year.

Career highs (regular season)

2023 splits

regular season
SplitGRecRec ydsRec TD
Home8
42
5.3/g
401
50/g
9
Away9
44
4.9/g
488
54/g
1
In division6
22
3.7/g
191
32/g
2
Out of division11
64
5.8/g
698
63/g
8
In wins12
61
5.1/g
620
52/g
9
In losses5
25
5.0/g
269
54/g
1
On grass4
16
4.0/g
167
42/g
0
On turf13
70
5.4/g
722
56/g
10
Indoors12
65
5.4/g
683
57/g
10
Outdoors5
21
4.2/g
206
41/g
0

2023 game log

WkOppLineScore
PostseasonLAR3 rec, 14 yds, 1 TD—
PostseasonTB9 rec, 65 yds, 0 TD—
PostseasonSF9 rec, 97 yds, 0 TD—
Week 1KC5 rec, 39 yds, 0 TD64.6
Week 2SEA5 rec, 63 yds, 0 TD67.7
Week 3ATL8 rec, 84 yds, 1 TD67.7
Week 4GB4 rec, 56 yds, 0 TD72.3
Week 5CAR3 rec, 47 yds, 2 TD81.7
Week 6TB4 rec, 36 yds, 0 TD49.5
Week 7BAL6 rec, 52 yds, 0 TD61.2
Week 8LV8 rec, 57 yds, 1 TD69.5
Week 10LAC4 rec, 40 yds, 0 TD68.1
Week 11CHI3 rec, 18 yds, 0 TD28.2
Week 12GB5 rec, 47 yds, 1 TD41.6
Week 13NO9 rec, 140 yds, 1 TD99
Week 14CHI4 rush yds, 0 TD · 2 rec, 23 yds, 0 TD43.5
Week 15DEN5 rec, 56 yds, 3 TD99
Week 16MIN3 rec, 18 yds, 0 TD60.4
Week 17DAL7 rec, 84 yds, 0 TD55.2
Week 18MIN5 rec, 29 yds, 1 TD46.7

Sam LaPorta — common questions

What position does Sam LaPorta play?
Sam LaPorta is listed as a TE.
Which teams has Sam LaPorta played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Sam LaPorta has played for DET (2023–2026).
Where did Sam LaPorta go to college?
Sam LaPorta played college football at Iowa.
When was Sam LaPorta drafted?
Sam LaPorta was selected in round 2, 34th overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Sam LaPorta scored?
Sam LaPorta has 23 touchdowns in the regular-season games on file (23 receiving).
What is Sam LaPorta's ScoutIndex Rating?
Sam LaPorta rated 99.0 for 2026, the 100th percentile among TEs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 2, 2023

Also from Iowa