Sam LaPorta set the bar exceptionally high as a rookie, and by those standards, his second season felt like a step back—even though it was still impressive. After leading all tight ends in fantasy points during his rookie campaign, LaPorta saw a dip in production in 2024, finishing with 60 receptions for 726 yards and seven touchdowns. For most young tight ends, those numbers would be a strong second-year performance. But for LaPorta, they felt like an underachievement, largely due to his record-setting rookie year and a sluggish start to 2024.
Injuries played a role in his early-season struggles. Through the first seven weeks, LaPorta managed just 14 receptions and one touchdown, ranking outside the top 20 among fantasy tight ends. But once he got healthy, his production surged. Over his final 10 games, LaPorta racked up 46 catches for 502 yards and six touchdowns. In fantasy terms, he was the TE6 from Week 8 through the end of the regular season, regardless of scoring format. He was especially dominant during fantasy playoff weeks (Week 15-17), where he ranked as the TE1 in standard and half-PPR formats and the TE2 in full-PPR.
This late-season resurgence is a crucial factor for fantasy managers heading into 2025. ESPN’s Mike Clay recently pointed out that while LaPorta’s overall numbers dipped from his rookie year, his production in the back half of 2024 was nearly identical to his first-year performance. After averaging just 2.8 targets per game and a 7.1 fantasy points-per-game (PPG) average through his first six games, LaPorta rebounded to 6.7 targets per game and 13.6 fantasy PPG in his final 11 games, including the playoffs. Those numbers closely resemble what he did as a rookie when he was the TE1 in fantasy.
LaPorta’s 2024 stat line—60 receptions, 726 yards, and seven touchdowns—is likely the low end of his potential. Based on his production from Week 8-18, his 17-game pace would have been 78 catches, 853 yards, and 10 touchdowns. That stat line would have made him the TE4 in full-PPR scoring last season. While it’s tough to predict another TE1 finish, his talent and role in Detroit’s offense make a top-five return highly realistic.
With another offseason to develop chemistry with Jared Goff and an offense that still leans heavily on him, LaPorta should remain a focal point in 2025. If he stays healthy and maintains his late-season form, he could easily be one of the most valuable fantasy tight ends once again.
Sam LaPorta Set to Shine Even Brighter for Fantasy Owners in 2025
