To Sam LaPorta went Jared Goff, and to a win went the Lions. One drive after another, from the first quarter to the fourth, sideline to sideline and right down the seam, 16 looked 87's way, and "87's pretty good," Goff said after the Lions' 33-28 win over the Saints. "Sammy can play."
Dan Campbell tends to hand out a couple game balls after a win. He awarded one on Sunday, flipping it to his rookie tight end who emerged from a crowd in the Lions' locker room to make the catch. It was his 10th of the day after he'd hauled in every pass thrown his way for 140 yards and a touchdown in the Superdome.
LaPorta's first catch staked the Lions to a 14-0 lead. He went in motion before the snap and snared a perfectly-timed slant for his sixth touchdown of the season, tied for first (with Mark Andrews) among tight ends. His last helped the Lions seal the game. With Detroit facing third down and clinging to a lead with less than three minutes to play, LaPorta got open on a crossing route in man coverage and came down with the catch to keep the offense on the field. Detroit iced it three plays later. LaPorta might have ice in his veins.
"He’s as comfortable as anyone I’ve played with, and for a rookie it’s pretty tremendous," said Goff. "I'd compare him directly to what Saint was doing, on the field and off the field, the type of pro he is and knowing his assignments. Rarely has a (missed assignment), rarely has that type of rookie mistake, very rarely. Just such a reliable guy that I count on in those clutch times."
Goff, indeed, spoke in similar tones two years ago about Amon-Ra St. Brown. He continually called the then-rookie receiver a trustworthy target, and look at St. Brown now. The Saints were so obsessed with St. Brown on Sunday that they sold out to stop him. It was LaPorta who made them pay.
"When they were playing man coverage they were sending a lot of attention to St. Brown, so it’s going to leave everyone else one-on-one," said Goff. "And that’s where (LaPorta) was able to find his mojo."
The Lions made LaPorta the second tight end taken in this year's draft. And he's making them look smart. He's second at his position in catches (86) behind T.J. Hockenson and Travis Kelce, fourth in yards (679) behind Kelce, Hockenson and Kittle. He had two more explosive plays Sunday, including a 48-yard catch and run in the third quarter, and is now tied for second with Kelce in catches of 20-plus yards (14). Only Kittle has more. If you are who you walk with, LaPorta is already running with the best tight ends in the NFL.
Only two rookie tight ends have made the Pro Bowl this century: Kyle Pitts in 2021 and Jeremy Shockey in 2002. LaPorta, at this rate, will absolutely be the third. It's a testament to his weekly preparation and understanding of the game plan that he's able to make such a consistent impact at one of the most challenging positions for a rookie. It's also another nod to Brad Holmes' eye for talent. Much as the Lions can put LaPorta in positions to thrive, "you gotta bring it to life," LaPorta said.
LaPorta isn't trying to make history, and won't take stock of what he's done until "after the season ends." Doesn't mean we have to wait. He just became the sixth NFL player ever to record 60 catches, 675 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns through his first 12 games. And he stands out from the others: Justin Jefferson, Michael Thomas, Odell Beckham Jr., Marques Colston and Anquan Boldin did it as wide receivers.
"You don’t want to get caught up in all that," LaPorta said of his own numbers. "It just kind of muddies and clouds your vision for the team and the success that we hope to have moving forward."
LaPorta is a huge reason for the success they've already had. The Lions are 9-3 for the first time since 1956, and would be closer to .500 without him. Asked what's allowed him to have such success so early in his career, the 22-year-old naturally pointed to the people around him, his teammates, coaches, family and friends.
"They tell me to do what I love, and I love playing football. And when it’s not a chore, it doesn’t really feel like a job," LaPorta said. "You’re just out there with your buddies running around, and it’s great that we’re having success. It definitely makes you want to work harder when you’re adding value to the team."
After receiving his game ball from Campbell, LaPorta asked if rookies get to give a speech. The floor was his. Grinning from ear to ear, he retreated into the crowd instead. Which is just fine: LaPorta keeps making himself heard on the field.