Iowa tight end Sam Laporta Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Lions go to T.J. Hockenson’s alma mater to find his successor

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 4/28/23

The last time the Detroit Lions drafted a tight end from Iowa, it worked out pretty well.

So it makes sense why Detroit went back to Hawkeye well again to find T.J. Hockenson’s successor, selecting tight end Sam LaPorta with the 34th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

"It's really cool to kind of be the next guy,” LaPorta said, via the Lions official website. “I showed up as a freshman and I was just hoping I could sneak onto the field. Four years later, I leave the University of Iowa and I feel I'm right up there with names like T.J. Hockenson, Dallas Clark, and Noah Fant and that's something I'm really proud of."

RD 2 | PK 34 - Lions: Sam LaPorta TE, Iowa

The latest athletic tight end to come out of Iowa, LaPorta earned an 86 athleticism score after his performance at the combine. He replaces former @HawkeyeFootball TE T.J. Hockenson, who the Lions traded away to the Vikings last season. pic.twitter.com/d21dQwagYp
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) April 28, 2023

LaPorta ended his college career as Iowa’s all-time leader among tight ends in receptions (148) and he ranked second in yards (1,730). In fact, LaPorta passed Hockenson in every major statistical category except touchdowns.

With Hockenson in Minnesota, the Lions add an athletic, versatile replacement who presents plenty of matchup problems. LaPorta’s 4.59 40-time was the third-fastest among tight ends at the NFL Scouting Combine, and he had the second-most missed tackles forced (20) among tight ends in 2022, per Pro Football Focus.

Hey @Lions fans, you're going to want to check out @HawkeyeFootball's @Samlaporta's top ️ favorite plays. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/ZWy34h6qC2
— Iowa On BTN (@IowaOnBTN) April 28, 2023

LaPorta has many strengths Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson can exploit including above-average hands, strong route running and breaking and the ability to play down line, in the slot or out wide.

Though the Lions got nine touchdowns from Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra and James Mitchell, the trio combined for just 40 receptions and 389 yards. LaPorta should put up numbers comparable to Hockenson’s best season in Detroit (67 receptions, 723 yards, six touchdowns).

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