Athletic Profile
Height: 6032
Weight: 245
Arm Length: 32 1/8”
40 Time: 4.59
Vertical: 35”
Broad Jump: 1003
Shuttle: 35”
Relative Athletic Score: 9.01
* Indicates Recorded At Pro Day
Statistics
2022: 58 REC - 648 YRDS - 1 TD - 11.2 Y/REC - 6.3 YAC/REC - 2.16 Y/RR - 7.1 ADOT - 9.4 DRP% - 37.5 CTC%
2021: 53 REC - 670 YRDS - 3 TD - 12.6 Y/REC - 5.6 YAC/REC - 1.97 Y/RR - 8.3 ADOT - 8.6 DRP% - 44.4 CTC%
Snap Count
SLOT: 32.3%
INL: 54.3%
WIDE: 9%
Pros
Strong Athletic Profile
Alignment Versatility
Fluid Route Runner
Cons
Lacks Elusiveness w/ The Ball
Limited Downfield Work
Poor Contested Catch Rate
Summary
Sam LaPorta was a multi-sport star in High School, lettering for the football, track and basketball teams. He was actually a WR and DB in High School before moving to TE at Iowa. LaPorta saw game action in all 4 of his seasons for the Hawkeyes turning into a starter and All-Big 10 player in his final three. LaPorta is an experienced and versatile tight end. He lined up for a majority of his snaps either in the slot or inline but showed the ability to play H-back, fullback and out wide. A well rounded athlete, LaPorta put up strong testing numbers across the board at the combine.
LaPorta has the movement skills and balance to be a strong blocker in the open field. He shows excellent redirect ability to match quicker players in space. His initial punches as a blocker are violent and accurate. He is a willing blocker who always looks to finish his assignment. LaPorta is undersized for an inline tight end and can have some trouble displacing in the run game. He also is very inconsistent at sustaining extended blocks too often letting his assignment slip off to make plays.
As a receiving option LaPorta is a fluid athlete that can make an impact from a variety of alignments. He has exceptional body control as a route runner and it allows him to maintain his speed in and out of his breaks. LaPorta shows a strong understanding of how to manipulate defenders' leverage and has a knack for settling in open zones. He is not the most explosive athlete out in space but he shows enough wiggle at his size to make the first defender miss. LaPorta needs to improve his abilities at the catch point especially down the field. While Iowa’s QB play was not the best during his tenure, he had to adjust to some poor throws in his career, his drop rate is far too high. LaPorta struggles to play through physicality at the catch point despite having the size advantage in most reps. Currently most of his production comes in the intermediate area of the field where he uses technique and movement skills to win underneath.
LaPorta is a well rounded tight end that has very few weaknesses in his game. His ability to win as a receiver and blocker from a variety of alignments is very valuable. LaPorta will never be an explosive focal point in a team passing offense but should be a quality contributor. LaPorta projects as a starting caliber tight end who provides a high floor in the passing game and with continual growth as a blocker should be an above average NFL tight end.
Grade: 6.10 - Mid to Late Second Round Grade (Potential Starter)
Games Watched: Wisconsin (2021), Illinois (2022), Michigan (2022), Ohio State (2022)
Pro Comp: Austin Hooper