Positional Value and What We Can Learn From Sam LaPorta's Success With Lions

The Bengals passed on taking an offensive weapon early in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Author:
James Rapien
Publish date:
Sep 29, 2023 7:23 AM EDT

In this story:

CINCINNATI — The Bengals didn't take a tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft and didn't select an offensive player until day three.

This isn't going to be a column questioning that decision. In fact, plenty of their rookies have flashed their potential at one point or another this season, with DJ Turner II and Charlie Jones leading the way in that department.

This is simply a reminder that giving Joe Burrow another weapon is never the wrong decision.

There were plenty of times during the pre-draft process when people dismissed the idea of taking a running back in round one. They laughed about the possibility of taking a tight end with the 28th overall pick.

Part of why the Bengals didn't opt to go that route was because the top guys were long gone. Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs were both off the board at No. 8 and No. 12, respectively. Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid was taken one spot before them in the first round.

Sam LaPorta would've felt like a reach at the time, but the former Iowa tight end is making a huge impact for the Lions. It's easy to say in hindsight, but even at the time there were people that thought he would be a perfect fit in the Bengals' offense.

LaPorta has 22 receptions for 242 yards and one touchdown in four games. The rookie entered Week 4 with 186 yards receiving, which was first among tight ends in the NFL. Detroit took him with the 34th overall pick in this year's draft.

Positional value is important, but when you have an elite quarterback and your Super Bowl window is open, adding an instant impact weapon on offense is always a good idea.

Remember that next spring when the Bengals' championship window is still open and the "positional value" argument is brought up ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.

That doesn't mean they have to go with a weapon in round one. They shouldn't pigeon hole themselves into a corner, but would anyone complain or talk about position value if the Bengals had a tight end like LaPorta that could make plays in the passing game and stretch the field?

There's merit to the positional value argument, but drafting is about much more than position, despite what some may say.

How does a player fit on your team after he's drafted? That's a question that needs to be answered before dismissing an entire position.

To be clear, the Bengals were open to taking a tight end or even a running back early in the 2023 NFL Draft, but things didn't play out that way.

If their 2023 class continues to develop, then the Bengals will be just fine, but it sure would've been nice to have another weapon that Burrow could lean on with defenses focused on containing Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.

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