3 overhyped Detroit Lions players fans need to pump the brakes on

3. TE Sam LaPorta

LaPorta instantly became the Lions' most-talented tight end when he was announced as the 34th overall pick in April's draft. And there is certainly opportunity in front of him, with Amon-Ra St. Brown leading the way and not much else that's all that exciting in the Detroit passing game.

But there's a steep learning curve to learn all that the tight end spot entails in the NFL, and the list of rookie tight ends who have put up big seasons lately is short. No less an authority than Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who knows of which he speaks as a former tight end himself, suggested tight ends have to know every aspect of the offense like a quarterback does. And he's not wrong.

It's safe to assume Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will work around whatever (if any) areas LaPorta might lag in as rookie. He lined up in the slot and out wide a lot at Iowa, and the Lions simply did not use their tight ends like that last year after T.J. Hockenson was traded.

LaPorta might be an instant all-around stud, and defy the aforementioned rookie tight end history. But it has become easy to just expect him to have a big rookie season, and those expectations have to be held in check right now.