- #
- 99
- Position
- Tight end
- Height
- 6'4"
- Weight
- 249
- Current Team
- Iowa
Sam LaPorta: Tight End, Iowa Hawkeyes: NFL Draft Scouting Profile and Projected Draft Position
Sam LaPorta Iowa Stats
| Year | School | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2019 | Iowa | FR | TE | 6 | 15 | 188 | 12.5 | 0 |
| 2020 | Iowa | SO | TE | 8 | 27 | 271 | 10 | 1 |
| 2021 | Iowa | JR | TE | 14 | 53 | 670 | 12.6 | 3 |
| 2022 | Iowa | SR | TE | 12 | 58 | 657 | 11.3 | 1 |
Sam LaPorta Scouting Report
Per NFL Draft Buzz, LaPorta has the following strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths
- Massive route tree. Runs WR routes in addition to TE routes
- Great hands. Very rarely drops a pass
- Great after the catch and can take advantage of mismatches
Weaknesses
- Not a good run blocker
- Limited usage in Iowa which limits the amount of tape on him
Check Out Our Entire List of 2023 NFL Draft Profiles
Sam LaPorta in Mock Drafts
According to NFL Mock Draft Database, LaPorta is projected as a third-round pick. Because of his talent in the passing game, some mock drafts have him being a first-round pick. If a team does not care about the run blocking as much, LaPorta is a tantalizing prospect. Below is a list of mock drafts and where they have LaPorta being drafted.
- Sports Illustrated – No. 28 overall: Bengals
- Da Windy City – Third round: Bears
- E2G Sports – Fourth round: Patriots
Would Sam LaPorta Fit on the Packers?
Tight end is a huge question mark for the Packers going into 2023. Robert Tonyan is a free agent and has expressed a desire to return but it is unclear whether the Packers will or not. Even if Tonyan resigns, the Packers could use some tight end depth. LaPorta would add some huge upside to the Packers at the position.
Check Out Another Prospect That Could Fit For the Packers
The problem with LaPorta is his run-blocking which is a big concern for the Packers. However, this is a prospect that would work really well for the Packers in an interesting way. The Packers need another wide receiver. GM Brian Gutekunst could build that depth with LaPorta. While he would be listed as a tight end, his extensive route tree could make him more valuable as a pseudo wide receiver. The team could run some two tight end sets where LaPorta could exploit a mismatch. Look for the Packers to draft at least one tight end in 2023.
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