The 2023 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Sam LaPorta 2023 NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Tight End
School: Iowa
Size: 6-foot-3, 245 pounds
Class: Senior
2022 Stats: 58 receptions, 657 receiving yards, 1 touchdown reception, 11.3 yards per reception
LaPorta improved every season he was at Iowa during his college career. Now he is a prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft.
As a three-star wide receiver prospect, LaPorta signed with Iowa out of the state of Illinois. He made the move to tight end at Iowa and had 15 catches for 188 yards in his true freshman season. LaPorta had more of a full-time role in his sophomore season with 27 receptions for 271 yards and one touchdown. His play helped Iowa go 6-2. In the 2021 season, he had 53 receptions for 670 yards and three touchdowns. The Hawkeyes had a 10-4 record with an appearance in the Citrus Bowl. He returned for the 2022 season, finishing with 58 receptions for 657 yards and one touchdown catch. LaPorta led the Hawkeyes to an 8-5 record and a Music City Bowl win.
Following the Music City Bowl win, LaPorta declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. He is projected to be a day-two pick.
LaPorta showed good route-running abilities at Iowa. He has an expanded route tree that shows his experience as a high school receiver. LaPorta gets in and out of his breaks quickly and is able to create separation against linebackers and safeties.
He has good run-after-the-catch abilities to make routine plays into big ones. LaPorta has solid speed and strength, which makes him hard to tackle. He runs hard with the ball in his hands and really shows his background as a former receiver.
The effort is there as a blocker. LaPorta isn’t afraid of a blocking challenge and can be lined up on the line of scrimmage and do ok. He is a good blocker in space and can get to the second level well. There are things to improve, but coaches will love his effort.
LaPorta doesn’t have the biggest frame for an NFL tight end. He stands 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, which means there are plenty bigger tight ends in the NFL. LaPorta will need to keep adding to his frame, something he has done a lot of since getting to Iowa.
While the effort is there as a run blocker, it may be hard for LaPorta to be an in-line tight end full time in the NFL. He needs added strength to help his blocking, but also needs to work on his hand positioning to find more success.
His hands are solid overall, but LaPorta can sometimes struggle to haul in passes that come in out of frame. He can also struggle with contested catches at times. His catch radius is average, but he could work on converting on more catchable balls.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Fourth Round Pick
Draft Grade: Third-Round Pick
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