Dolphins Potential Draft Target: TE Sam LaPorta
The 2023 NFL draft is quickly approaching.
The Miami Dolphins don’t have a first-round pick (would have been 21st overall) due to tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton, but they do have the 51st overall pick, a third-round pick (85) and two Day 3 picks (198 and 241).
Miami is hoping those picks can help them build on a roster that reached the playoffs this past season for the first time since 2016.
This article series is intended to be an introduction to these players so fans are familiar with a number of options and why they make sense for the Dolphins.
We’ll dive into some simple biographical information, the pros and cons of their game and how they fit into Miami’s scheme or depth chart.
IOWA TE SAM LaPORTA
Career stats: 153 catches, 1,786 receiving yards, five touchdowns, 11.7 yards per catch
Basic background: LaPorta is the next in a long line of Iowa tight ends to make the NFL. He has followed in the footsteps of players like George Kittle, Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson in recent years. While LaPorta isn’t as good as those players, he filled their shoes nicely the past couple of seasons. He started 32 out of 46 games, becoming the primary starter following the 2021 season. In 2022, LaPorta was one of three finalists for the John Mackey Award, was named first-team All-Big Ten by league coaches and media and was named a team captain. The tight end was a multi-sport athlete in high school, playing basketball and competing in track and field. He ranks second in Illinois high school history in receiving touchdowns (50) and third in receiving yards (3,793).
Pros of LaPorta's Game
LaPorta is a rare tight end prospect. He’s one of the few tight ends to prove they could be the focal point of an offense while in college. Most college tight ends are afterthoughts in their team’s offensive pecking order. Iowa’s offense and quarterback play was so bad the past two seasons it allowed LaPorta to become the focal point of the passing attack. Typically, this section focuses on traits, but LaPorta’s production of 111 catches for 1,438 yards in his final two seasons is noteworthy. LaPorta’s receiving ability is the best part of his game. He displays ample route-running ability, good ball skills and solid overall athleticism. His ability to make defenders miss in the open field was a pleasant surprise. LaPorta has the right demeanor to be an effective blocker in the NFL. He plays with good aggression and works to hold his own even when outmatched. His effort as a run blocker and reliable skill set as a receiver project well to a starting tight end role early in his career.
Cons of LaPorta's Game
While LaPorta displays reasonable effort as a blocker, his consistency wanes considerably. He doesn’t have much power when engaged with linemen, making it hard to project him as an in-line starter in Year 1. LaPorta is on the smaller end of the tight end spectrum, too. So, while his technique can be improved, there is a ceiling on his run-blocking ability. His height, weight and arm length all rank below the 25th percentile for NFL tight ends. His lack of length shows when he’s trying to block and when he’s trying to make contested catches away from his frame. That won’t get better with coaching. LaPorta tested incredibly well at the NFL combine, finishing in the 90th percentile for the 40-yard dash and the broad jump. However, that explosiveness and long speed don’t show up a ton on film. Game speed and testing speed are much different, and there’s a decent gap for LaPorta.
HOW SAM LaPORTA FITS THE MIAMI DOLPHINS
The Dolphins have a need at tight end, and LaPorta is a tight end. Case closed, right? Not exactly.
Miami is looking for a tight end with blocking chops. They had one of the game’s better receiving tight ends in Mike Gesicki last season and couldn’t figure out how to effectively incorporate him into the offense.
LaPorta is a much better receiver than blocker at this point in his career. He displays reasonable effort as a blocker but lacks the functional strength and size to make a true impact against NFL-caliber players.
If the Dolphins draft LaPorta, he would serve as the team’s H-back and maybe get some fullback reps occasionally. He blocks much better when he gets a running start vs. just firing out of his stance.
The Dolphins often used Durham Smythe and Alec Ingold in the H-back role last season, so the team values it. There’s no doubt LaPorta’s pass-catching prowess is much better than that of Smythe or the recently signed Eric Saubert, but based on last season that doesn’t seem to be what the team cares about at the position.
Adding a talented player like LaPorta to Miami’s tight end room makes sense on the surface, but his fit with the team isn’t perfect.
Chances LaPorta makes it to 51
LaPorta has a reasonable chance to be on the board when Miami picks at 51. The 2022 tight end class is deep and has top-end talents in Notre Dame’s Michael Mayor, Georgia’s Darnell Washington and Utah’s Dalton Kincaid.
Given LaPorta’s strong testing numbers, he’ll likely be the next tight end off the board after those top three. If all three are taken in the first round, it’ll push LaPorta up; however, if those tight ends slip a bit, LaPorta could make it to 51.
LaPorta wouldn’t be a poor selection for the Dolphins at 51. He’s a solid tight end prospect, and the team has a need there. Still, LaPorta’s film places him much closer to Miami’s pick in the third round at No. 85. Additionally, LaPorta is a worse receiver and only a marginally better blocker than Gesicki, a player Miami struggled to use last season.
Perhaps all the Dolphins need is a little more effort from the tight end spot in the running game. If they’re looking for more than that, selecting LaPorta at 51 isn’t wise.
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