It's well-known by now how good a rookie season Sam LaPorta had last year. He finished as the TE1 in fantasy football, and even if he has a "sophomore slump" compared to that he's still lined up to have a fine second season. By his own admission, there are areas he can improve in.
Of course getting LaPorta on a fantasy roster this year will require hefty draft capital, as he will be the first tight end off the board in a lot of drafts. He could very well repeat as the TE1 and fully justify that investment.
The tight end position feels pretty deep in fantasy this year. For those who like to wait to draft a tight end, there are some interesting options later and if you take a chance on a couple one should pay off fine. Drafting someone like Travis Kelce or Rob Gronkowski is not the great advantage it once was.
It's also fair to say LaPorta is in the top tier of tight ends, in real-life or fantasy terms.
Fantasy Football 2024: Sam LaPorta put into a tier of nearly his own
Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus recently released his tiered rankings of tight ends for fantasy in 2024. Knowing where said tier lines are is important to draft strategy, even if you create them with your own evaluation.
Tier 1 of fantasy tight ends in Jahnke's preseason rankings is a group of two-LaPorta and Kelce.
"Sam LaPorta and Travis Kelce are in a tier of their own. Kelce has consistently finished first or second in fantasy points per game by a tight end since 2016, making him the safer option, but his 14.6 fantasy points per game last season was his worst since 2016. He’s 34 years old, so it wouldn’t be surprising if his production decreases again, but that’s still good enough for TE2. LaPorta, on the other hand, led the league in fantasy points for a tight end, which is unheard of by a rookie. There is a chance he will hit a sophomore slump, but there is also plenty of room for improvement."
As Kelce slowly ages out, it may not be long before LaPorta is in a tier all his own among fantasy tight ends when preseason rankings come out. He's almost there heading into his second season, with Kelce's career resume keeping him into the top tier in PFF's rankings as much as anything.