Sam LaPorta Is A Versatile Tight End For Detroit

The Detroit Lions took tight end Sam LaPorta at No. 34 overall in the second round of this year's NFL draft, and NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell said that "LaPorta has the look and feel of a 10-year NFL TE with his compact route-running and his ability to work the middle of the field effectively, including the play speed to run the vertical seam and the deep corner and go routes." With T.J. Hockenson now in Minnesota, LaPorta has a path to substantial playing time as a playmaker all over the field for the Lions in his rookie season. He might not be a true matchup weapon because he lacks the size of a traditional tight end, but the 22-year-old will be a weapon eventually. Fantasy managers may want to be patient here in redraft leagues.