On a roster chock-full of core players, "there's a number of guys that have taken big steps" this season for the Lions, said Dan Campbell. Who's taken the biggest?
"The first one I think of is Sam LaPorta," Campbell said Wednesday on 97.1 The Ticket. "I feel like Sam has taken another step forward. Sometimes what not everybody sees about Sam, he has to do everything. He has to pass protect, he has to run block and then certainly as a receiver he’s got his value there. The guy can do it all. And I feel like that’s where he’s taken his biggest jump, is in the run game and pass protection, and continues to be a threat in the pass game. I love where he's at right now."
LaPorta's receiving numbers aren't quite what they were in his historic rookie season, but they're up from last year. He's averaging 4.1 catches and 48.4 yards per game, compared to 5.1 catches and 52.3 yards per game in 2023. More to Campbell's point, LaPorta has been better than ever as a run blocker.
Overall, LaPorta is the top-graded tight end in the NFL, per PFF, among those with at least 15 targets. Lions new tight ends coach Tyler Roehl "has done a great job with him and those guys," said Campbell. "So he’s one of the first ones I think of."
"And then certainly defensively, Derrick Barnes is the other one over there, man," Campbell said. "Just continues every week to get better and better and better."
Barnes has done it all this season for the Lions after missing most of last season with a knee injury. The team signed him to a three-year, $24 million extension all the same, and Barnes is living up to it. He's played almost every snap on defense with fellow linebackers Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell and already has a career high with three sacks. He's second on the team in tackles.
Barnes, 26, is in year five of his career, while LaPorta, 24, is in year three. Both have played key roles in the Lions' 5-2 start.
"And they’re not young guys, but man," said Campbell, "they’re growing into their prime."