The NFC North is loaded at the tight end position, and surely Detroit Lions' Sam LaPorta is the cream of the crop, right?
Not so fast, according to Green Bay Packers writer Sayre Bedinger of Lombardi Ave. In his list ranking each starting TE in the division for the 2026 season, Bedinger has LaPorta third of four. LaPorta ranks above former Lion, and current Minnesota Vikings' T.J. Hockenson, but behind Chicago Bears' Colston Loveland and Packers' Tucker Kraft.
Bedinger credits LaPorta's reliability in the pass game, citing his catch percentage improving since his stellar cookie campaign, rising from 71.7% to 81.6%. However, Bedinger sees some uncertainty surrounding LaPorta's health after he was limited by a back injury that caused him to miss the Lions' final eight games.
If LaPorta proves he's healthy again, Bedinger says, there's "no question that he's one of the top 10 in the NFL." Once the Lions are confident enough in LaPorta's health, he'll likely be paid like it, too.
As for former Michigan standout Loveland, Bedinger did inject some projection into his second-place ranking. Loveland had a great rookie season for the Bears, helping them win the NFC North with his 713 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions. Those numbers weren't too far off from LaPorta's second season of 726 yards and seven TD receptions, when LaPorta barely missed out on a second straight Pro Bowl selection.
Unlike LaPorta and Kraft, Loveland isn't coming off of a major injury. At the same time, he will still be competing for attention with Cole Kmet, which could raise the risk of a sophomore slump. Even so, if his rookie season under Ben Johnson is any indication, Loveland should be in the mix for this top spot for years to come.
Addressing the Kraft cheese-scented elephant in the room
It should come as no surprise that a Packers writer like Bedinger would have the Packers' TE leading this list. While fair, there is a shred of irony to it, as Kraft also missed significant time with injury, playing fewer games than LaPorta.
Like LaPorta, Kraft should be ready to go for the start of the 2026 season, but it remains to be seen what effect, if any, Kraft's ACL tear will have on his movement and ability. Sports medicine has advanced significantly in the past decade, so it wouldn't come as a shock if both Kraft and LaPorta don't miss a beat.
That's what Bedinger is banking on with Kraft, given the numbers he was on pace for last season. That pace of 68 receptions, 1,040 yards, and 13 TDs would've put him ninth among TEs in receptions, but second in yards and first in TDs at the position. 13 TDs in general would've been good for second among all pass catchers, and two more than Lions' wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
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Those efficient numbers would've at least made him a lock for Second-Team All-Pro and a strong contender for First-Team honors over Arizona Cardinals' Trey McBride. Yet, we'd be playing the pace game that plagues the first half of every season, as there's no telling if that pace was sustainable and if it can carry over into next season.
LaPorta was on a strong pace as well, with 76 receptions, 924 yards, and six TDs, which was nearly identical to Second-Team All-Pro Kyle Pitts. But we don't know how the change in offensive play-caller would've affected LaPorta, one way or the other, as he only played one game with Dan Campbell calling plays.
Suffice it to say, there's a lot of points to consider when ranking NFC North TEs, whether it's injuries, potential, new play-callers, or a new QB. Any one of these TEs can emerge as the best in the division this season, but LaPorta's reliability and consistency as a former All-Pro in a high-scoring offense should make him the safest pick for the top spot.
But that's just the opinion of this Lions writer.
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