Detroit Lions tight finish Sam LaPorta has already impressed in his first NFL season, however on Saturday vs. the Denver Broncos, he joined an extremely unique group.
LaPorta surpassed 700 receiving yards whereas discovering the endzone for the seventh and eighth occasions this season. Per Stathead, LaPorta is barely the third tight finish in historical past to document seven TDs and 700 yards of their rookie 12 months, becoming a member of Corridor of Famers Mike Ditka (1961) and John Mackey (1963).
In response to Next Gen Stats, LaPorta had solely a 3.1 p.c probability of scoring on the play, by far essentially the most unbelievable of his younger profession.
With three video games remaining within the common season, the 22-year-old has a shot at much more historical past. On Saturday, he handed Atlanta Falcons’ Kyle Pitts (68) for the third-most receptions by a rookie tight finish and is inside placing distance of the document, with solely Jeremey Shockley (74) and Keith Jackson (81) standing in his approach.
His eight TD receptions tied the Lions single-season mark set by Jim Gibbons in 1964. In the meantime, he is already tied for fourth all-time in receiving scores by a first-year TE, trailing solely Junior Miller (9), Rob Gronkowski (10) and Ditka (12).
Chosen thirty fourth total by the Lions within the second spherical of the 2023 NFL Draft, the decide is paying large dividends. Not solely has LaPorta made Lions followers shortly neglect about former Professional Bowler T.J. Hockenson, however he is far exceeding expectations, making the long run look even brighter.