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 air-yards share stands out most — the 94th 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
2024 ScoutIndex Rating · TE
Methodology95th percentile among TEs
16 games · 83 targets
Week 1 projection · vs NO
MethodologyMean (10th–90th percentile) · recent form × matchup. Informational, not wagering advice.
2024 attribute card
click a row to see the formulagroup averages
Athleticism
Speed79▶
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.
Agility82▶
Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine TEs (faster = higher).
Size17▶
Height/weight z-score vs. the TE cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).
Receiving
Hands45▶
Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.
Deep Threat81▶
Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.
YAC Ability90▶
Yards after catch ÷ reception.
Role
Target Share90▶
Share of the team's targets while on the field, target-weighted across the season.
Air-Yards Share94▶
Share of the team's total air yards, target-weighted across the season.
Impact
Efficiency88▶
Receiving EPA ÷ target — the Rating's largest component.
Volume91▶
Total targets this season.
Career (regular season)
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)
- Most rushing yards in a game4 vs CHI, 2023 Week 14
- Most receiving yards in a game140 on 9 catches, 1 TD vs NO, 2023 Week 13
2024 splits
regular season| Split | G | Rec | Rec yds | Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 8 | 38 4.8/g | 393 49/g | 3 |
| Away | 8 | 22 2.8/g | 333 42/g | 4 |
| In division | 6 | 22 3.7/g | 219 37/g | 3 |
| Out of division | 10 | 38 3.8/g | 507 51/g | 4 |
| In wins | 14 | 51 3.6/g | 602 43/g | 7 |
| In losses | 2 | 9 4.5/g | 124 62/g | 0 |
| On grass | 4 | 14 3.5/g | 171 43/g | 2 |
| On turf | 12 | 46 3.8/g | 555 46/g | 5 |
| Indoors | 13 | 48 3.7/g | 591 45/g | 5 |
| Outdoors | 3 | 12 4.0/g | 135 45/g | 2 |
2024 game log
| Wk | Opp | Line | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postseason | WAS | 6 rec, 51 yds, 1 TD | — |
| Week 1 | LAR | 4 rec, 45 yds, 0 TD | 64.5 |
| Week 2 | TB | 2 rec, 13 yds, 0 TD | 47.9 |
| Week 3 | ARI | 2 rec, 36 yds, 0 TD | 68.4 |
| Week 4 | SEA | 4 rec, 53 yds, 0 TD | 87.1 |
| Week 6 | DAL | 1 rec, 52 yds, 1 TD | 70.3 |
| Week 7 | MIN | 1 rec, 25 yds, 0 TD | 56 |
| Week 8 | TEN | 6 rec, 48 yds, 1 TD | 72.1 |
| Week 9 | GB | 2 rec, 28 yds, 0 TD | 54.3 |
| Week 10 | HOU | 3 rec, 66 yds, 1 TD | 41.3 |
| Week 12 | IND | 3 rec, 19 yds, 0 TD | 33.5 |
| Week 13 | CHI | 3 rec, 6 yds, 2 TD | 45.2 |
| Week 14 | GB | 5 rec, 54 yds, 0 TD | 65.3 |
| Week 15 | BUF | 7 rec, 111 yds, 0 TD | 87.4 |
| Week 16 | CHI | 4 rec, 43 yds, 1 TD | 57.8 |
| Week 17 | SF | 6 rec, 64 yds, 1 TD | 71.8 |
| Week 18 | MIN | 7 rec, 63 yds, 0 TD | 73.6 |
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
- Jared GoffQB · 2026
- Jahmyr GibbsRB · 2026
- Amon-Ra St. BrownWR · 2026
- Jameson WilliamsWR · 2026
- Isaac TeSlaaWR · 2026
- Sione VakiRB · 2026
- Brock WrightTE · 2026
- Jackson MeeksWR · 2026
Drafted in round 2, 2023
- Joey Porter Jr.CB · pick 32
- Will LevisQB · pick 33
- Michael MayerTE · pick 35
- Steve AvilaG · pick 36
- Derick HallLB · pick 37
- Matthew BergeronG · pick 38
- Jonathan MingoWR · pick 39
- Isaiah FoskeyDE · pick 40
Also from Iowa
- Beau StephensG · 2026–2026
- TJ HallDB · 2026–2026
- Max LlewellynDE · 2026–2026
- Karson ShararLB · 2026–2026
- Gennings DunkerG · 2026–2026
- Logan JonesC · 2026–2026
- Kaleb JohnsonRB · 2025–2026
- Connor ColbyG · 2025–2026