The Detroit Lions have emerged as one of the top teams in football this season, with Dan Campbell’s squad sitting at 12-1 and holding a one-game lead over the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC’s No. 1 seed through 14 weeks. Detroit is set to face the Buffalo Bills in Week 15 at Ford Field in what could be a preview of this year’s Super Bowl.
The Lions’ offense continues to excel under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, leading the league in points per game (32.1) and ranking second in yards per game (394.8), trailing only the Baltimore Ravens. Despite this offensive dominance, tight end Sam LaPorta has struggled in his sophomore season.
After a historic rookie campaign in 2023, where LaPorta tallied 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns, his production has dipped in 2024. Through 12 games, the 23-year-old has recorded 36 catches for 445 yards and five touchdowns. LaPorta has not exceeded seven targets in any game this season and has been a less prominent part of the passing game.
While LaPorta remains one of the most promising young tight ends in the NFL, CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso projects that the Lions will add another weapon at the position in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Penn State tight end Tyler Warren.
“Warren and Sam LaPorta would be a tremendous combination in Detroit catching passes from Jared Goff,” Trapasso wrote.
Warren has enjoyed a breakout season at Penn State in 2024, recording 88 catches for 1,062 yards and six touchdowns across 13 games. The senior has amassed 17 touchdowns over his collegiate career, though he didn’t see significant playing time until 2023.
While tight end isn’t a major need for the Lions, the team has few weaknesses, and general manager Brad Holmes has a track record of prioritizing talent over positional need. Holmes notably selected running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, even after signing David Montgomery to a three-year deal that offseason.
Adding Tyler Warren would enhance the Lions’ offense with a combination of physicality and big-play potential. A tight end pairing of LaPorta and Warren could be a game-changer for Detroit’s already potent attack.
