The Detroit Lions' 2023 rookie class was fantastic in 2023, and two of the players who drew the biggest headlines were Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch.
On the defensive side, Branch had an outstanding rookie season, with 74 tackles, three interceptions and three quarterback hits.
Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill was on "Green Light With Chris Long" recently, and heaped praise on Branch for the impact he made.
The Lions have re-shaped their secondary this offseason, adding Carlton Davis as well as Amik Robertson. While the opportunity has presented itself for another addition, Branch will most certainly be expected to take on a bigger role in 2024. To that end, there's talk of him seeing some reps at safety.
Interestingly enough, McNeill may have saved his biggest praise for LaPorta when asked about him.
Alim McNeill thinks Sam LaPorta may have another level in him
LaPorta set every record for a Lions' tight end, rookie or otherwise, last season. He also set the NFL record for receptions by a rookie tight end (86).
Those numbers may have been good, but Long is anticipating even bigger things in the future thanks to LaPorta's unique ability as a top-end pass catching threat and willingness as a blocker. As he said, in the next five years, LaPorta might just become the league's best tight end.
McNeill totally agreed, and he's anticipating even better things from LaPorta in Year 2.
"Oh 100%, (Sam) LaPorta, I'm trying to see where he comes back next year, because I don't know how much better he can get. But, like if he comes back next year with more speed and he's bulked up, it's over with."
LaPorta was a dominating presence as a rookie, and that only serves to make him a scarier matchup with more experience and a more NFL-ideal body. As a defender, McNeill paints a frightening picture of just how good LaPorta could become.