2023 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Prospect: Sam LaPorta, TE Iowa
Our NFL rookie profile series continues with this analysis of 2023 NFL Draft Prospect Sam LaPorta, TE from Iowa. We will continue to provide you with these in-depth rookie profiles and a ton of other fantasy football rookie analysis right up through the NFL Draft. Stay tuned and stay ahead of your league.
The 2023 tight end class has Michael Mayer, Dalton Kincaid, and Darnell Washington buzzing as dynasty rookies. These tight ends cast a shadow where Sam LaPorta is existing. Each tight end has a unique skill-set that teams will look to utilize within the system. LaPorta has the ability to play the slot and work down the field as a receiver but will need to continue to work on his blocking skills.
A negative on LaPorta’s outlook is his height (6’3″) and weight (245), which are below historical averages for tight ends – specifically, the dynasty tight ends we care about. This likely explains the lack of enthusiasm regarding his future NFL career and success.
The stats
LaPorta was a three-star recruit coming out of high school. He produced these numbers in college:
Courtesy of Sports Reference.
It is fair to assume two developmental years for college tight ends, so we shouldn’t concern ourselves too much with 2019 and 2020. Rarely do you see a tight end produce immediately (Brock Bowers).
Iowa’s offense was abysmal, to say the least. LaPorta was their best offensive player, at times lining up in the wildcat formation. He was the focal part of the offense. He accumulated 111 receptions over his final two seasons. He did not find the end zone more than once in his final season – this would have boosted his hype. But it’s largely because he was on one of the worst division one offenses.
When addressing tight end college production, box score stats don’t matter as much as other factors. George Kittle had 42 receptions over his final two seasons, for example.
The Measurables
It appears measurables and individual skill sets will provide an NFL team with their answers. Below are LaPorta’s measurables:
Courtesy of Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb).
There is a clear answer on athleticism, and he checks the boxes. As mentioned, his height and weight are negatives. He has clear speed and burst given his vertical and broad jump scores, which essentially measure his burst. Being able to make quick adjustments (three-cone/shuttle) is essential to help a tight end to gain yards. Having the 4.59-second 40-yard dash speed is the cherry on top.
Athleticism matters for tight ends to create yards and separation. Having 4.59 speed will not beat the secondary but will have advantages against linebackers.
The Film
This is not film, but here are fun highlights for your enjoyment:
It is clear when looking at the highlights, we are seeing a player who is physical and an offense scheming toward him. A noteworthy takeaway is his ability to be a downfield weapon too.
Dynasty Value
In our March rookie ADP, LaPorta is going at pick 36.80 as the TE5 off the board. He is ranked as the TE6. These drafts and rankings are coming before the NFL Draft, where we find what the NFL thinks of prospects. Tight ends do not need high draft capital. We would like to see them draft by the fourth round. He is a projected second-round pick – jumping from rank 117 to 60 following the combine. This would put him a few picks away from the third round. Here are a few tight ends from the 2022 class drafted in the third round gaining value:
Via Dynasty ADP Comparison Tool.
We can see tight ends start off with low value. This could be due to their ‘lower’ draft capital and potential depth chart placement, not being the TE1 on the team immediately. As the season progresses, we see talent rise, and the rookie tight ends show flashes. This will increase their perceived value.
When you draft a player in the late rounds of the rookie draft and they gain value, you are able to flip the player for a significant return on investment. You are also able to keep the player and reap the rewards of understanding exploits in rookie drafts – tight ends do not need high draft capital. This is not necessarily a premium position.
Discussion
When taking in the height and potential weight concerns, LaPorta offers a skillset able to flourish in the NFL. The NFL Draft will tell us what his respective team thinks of him. As a reminder, I am looking for, at the latest, fourth-round capital. Going in the third round compared to the second round should not drastically change his outlook or value.
We would like to see him drafted to a team with immediate tight end need and an opportunity to be a top target two or three target on the team. The situation would need to be similar to Chigoziem Okonkwo, but with a higher passing volume team.
The height concerns are simply based on historical averages of what a dynasty TE1 looks like. It does not mean a tight end under a threshold will not produce. LaPorta displayed the ability to work all levels of the field with route running and reliable hands.
- May Dynasty ADP Risers and Fallers: Tight Ends - May 31, 2023
- May Dynasty ADP Risers and Fallers: Wide Receivers - May 30, 2023
- May Dynasty ADP Risers and Fallers: Running Backs - May 29, 2023
Our NFL rookie profile series continues with this analysis of 2023 NFL Draft Prospect Sam LaPorta, TE from Iowa. We will continue to provide you with these in-depth rookie profiles and a ton of other fantasy football rookie analysis right up through the NFL Draft. Stay tuned and stay ahead of your league.
The 2023 tight end class has Michael Mayer, Dalton Kincaid, and Darnell Washington buzzing as dynasty rookies. These tight ends cast a shadow where Sam LaPorta is existing. Each tight end has a unique skill-set that teams will look to utilize within the system. LaPorta has the ability to play the slot and work down the field as a receiver but will need to continue to work on his blocking skills.
A negative on LaPorta’s outlook is his height (6’3″) and weight (245), which are below historical averages for tight ends – specifically, the dynasty tight ends we care about. This likely explains the lack of enthusiasm regarding his future NFL career and success.
The stats
LaPorta was a three-star recruit coming out of high school. He produced these numbers in college:
Courtesy of Sports Reference.
It is fair to assume two developmental years for college tight ends, so we shouldn’t concern ourselves too much with 2019 and 2020. Rarely do you see a tight end produce immediately (Brock Bowers).
Iowa’s offense was abysmal, to say the least. LaPorta was their best offensive player, at times lining up in the wildcat formation. He was the focal part of the offense. He accumulated 111 receptions over his final two seasons. He did not find the end zone more than once in his final season – this would have boosted his hype. But it’s largely because he was on one of the worst division one offenses.
When addressing tight end college production, box score stats don’t matter as much as other factors. George Kittle had 42 receptions over his final two seasons, for example.
The Measurables
It appears measurables and individual skill sets will provide an NFL team with their answers. Below are LaPorta’s measurables:
Courtesy of Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb).
There is a clear answer on athleticism, and he checks the boxes. As mentioned, his height and weight are negatives. He has clear speed and burst given his vertical and broad jump scores, which essentially measure his burst. Being able to make quick adjustments (three-cone/shuttle) is essential to help a tight end to gain yards. Having the 4.59-second 40-yard dash speed is the cherry on top.
Athleticism matters for tight ends to create yards and separation. Having 4.59 speed will not beat the secondary but will have advantages against linebackers.
The Film
This is not film, but here are fun highlights for your enjoyment:
It is clear when looking at the highlights, we are seeing a player who is physical and an offense scheming toward him. A noteworthy takeaway is his ability to be a downfield weapon too.
Dynasty Value
In our March rookie ADP, LaPorta is going at pick 36.80 as the TE5 off the board. He is ranked as the TE6. These drafts and rankings are coming before the NFL Draft, where we find what the NFL thinks of prospects. Tight ends do not need high draft capital. We would like to see them draft by the fourth round. He is a projected second-round pick – jumping from rank 117 to 60 following the combine. This would put him a few picks away from the third round. Here are a few tight ends from the 2022 class drafted in the third round gaining value:
Via Dynasty ADP Comparison Tool.
We can see tight ends start off with low value. This could be due to their ‘lower’ draft capital and potential depth chart placement, not being the TE1 on the team immediately. As the season progresses, we see talent rise, and the rookie tight ends show flashes. This will increase their perceived value.
When you draft a player in the late rounds of the rookie draft and they gain value, you are able to flip the player for a significant return on investment. You are also able to keep the player and reap the rewards of understanding exploits in rookie drafts – tight ends do not need high draft capital. This is not necessarily a premium position.
Discussion
When taking in the height and potential weight concerns, LaPorta offers a skillset able to flourish in the NFL. The NFL Draft will tell us what his respective team thinks of him. As a reminder, I am looking for, at the latest, fourth-round capital. Going in the third round compared to the second round should not drastically change his outlook or value.
We would like to see him drafted to a team with immediate tight end need and an opportunity to be a top target two or three target on the team. The situation would need to be similar to Chigoziem Okonkwo, but with a higher passing volume team.
The height concerns are simply based on historical averages of what a dynasty TE1 looks like. It does not mean a tight end under a threshold will not produce. LaPorta displayed the ability to work all levels of the field with route running and reliable hands.
- May Dynasty ADP Risers and Fallers: Tight Ends - May 31, 2023
- May Dynasty ADP Risers and Fallers: Wide Receivers - May 30, 2023
- May Dynasty ADP Risers and Fallers: Running Backs - May 29, 2023
