With a major extension due up for Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, it only makes sense that his name stays on the minds of NFL writers piecing together wild mock trades. The offseason is only getting slower, but the NFL Draft offers an opportunity for sites to get creative about pick movement by way of wild trades.
NFL.com's Ed Edholm had LaPorta going to the Washington Commanders in exchange for their 7th overall pick, and now, FOX Sports' Ralph Vacchiano has LaPorta in a new mock trade package that would ship the tight end out to the Kansas City Chiefs for their 9th overall pick.
"LaPorta is coming off back surgery, heading into the last year of his contract and may get squeezed out in Detroit, where the Lions have a lot of young players to sign. It would probably cost the Chiefs a second-round pick. As an alternative, they could consider a package that involves swapping first-rounders instead."
This swap would not only give the Lions a 4th round pick in 2027, but it would guarantee them a shot at taking the best tackle in this year's draft: Spencer Fano.
Detroit could land top tackle in latest mock trade
Fano projects to be a Day 1 starter in the NFL, with The Athletic's Dane Brugler singing the tackle's praises in "The Beast," his humongous 2026 big board recently published to the site. Saying that Fano plays like someone "pissed in his Cheerios" is just the start to what makes him the perfect fit for the Lions' offensive line.
He's also a premier run-blocking tackle, and that would go a long way towards helping fill any hole potentially left behind after switching Penei Sewell over to the left side of the line. Losing LaPorta would be no walk in the park for Detroit's offense, though.
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Firstly, Jared Goff loves to target him - he had 120 targets in his rookie season, and 83 in 2024. Secondly, new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing loves to utilize tight ends creatively in his offense, and LaPorta (when healthy) is considered to be one of the best in the league. That's hard to replace or replicate, especially with Detroit's current TE depth.
However, with so much money due to LaPorta, Brian Branch, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jack Campbell, tough decisions are set to be made on at least two of these extension-eligible Lions. With his injury in 2025, LaPorta has firmly landed in the "up in the air" zone as it pertains to his contract extension eligibility.