Sam LaPorta and the Detroit Lions could face a dynamic highly similar to the contract standoff between George Pickens and the Dallas Cowboys. It has now been suggested that the Lions could take the same route by placing a franchise tag on their star tight end.

Former sports agent Joel Corry of CBS Sports compiled a detailed list of NFL players projected to receive the franchise tag in 2027, and LaPorta was included on the list.

If the Lions ultimately elect to place the tag on LaPorta, it will mark their first use of the tag since Ezekiel Ansah in 2018. In fact, Detroit has only tagged five total players since the franchise tag system was first introduced to the league in 1993.

Suffering a Pickens-like fate means losing all leverage in contract negotiations, as the Lions would effectively lock him down for another year without committing to the multi-year security his top-tier production has earned

However, Corry also noted some advantages that could work in LaPorta's favor.

“The Lions are among the NFL's most proactive teams at locking up core players before the expiration of rookie contracts,” wrote former sports agent Joel Corry of CBS Sports. “This philosophy could work to LaPorta's advantage.”

The former agent also mentioned that there is already an idea of how much LaPorta could ask for.

“The most relevant data point in the tight end market is the three-year, $53 million contract, averaging $17,666,667 per year, with $36 million fully guaranteed,” wrote Corry. “Pitts signed with the Falcons in June as a franchise player.”

LaPorta had a fast start to his career. He set the single-season rookie record for a tight end with 86 receptions. However, he had to miss the last eight games of the 2025 season with a herniated disc in his back, which also required surgery.

While Holmes, during the NFL Combine, expressed interest in extending his star, LaPorta’s performance after returning from injury will also factor into the Lions’ decision.

However, if ESPN’s latest rankings of tight ends are anything to go by, the Lions should re-sign LaPorta immediately.

LaPorta ranked as a Top 5 tight end in ESPN’s latest rankings

While LaPorta continues to recover from a serious back injury, his on-field execution before the medical setback was nothing short of spectacular.

This elite status was further proven after ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler released the results of a comprehensive league-wide survey on July 10. Polling NFL executives, coaches, and scouts to rank the top players at each position, they placed LaPorta as the fourth-best tight end in the NFL.

A major reason was LaPorta’s playmaking ability, which overshadowed LaPorta’s worst season in the NFL. LaPorta ranked first in the entire top 10 list for yards after first contact per reception with 2.25 yards. He also topped all tight ends for yards after the catch per reception with 6.9 yards.

One NFC scout was also full of praise for LaPorta’s playstyle and complimented his overall game.

“He’s got great hands. He’ll make a lot of circus, contested catches, especially in the red zone,” said the scout. “And his blocking is high-level. Just an all-around problem.”

LaPorta was ranked below the Las Vegas Raiders’ Brock Bowers, the Arizona Cardinals’ Trey McBride, and the San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle.

If LaPorta can return and play at this level while also helping the Lions contend for the Super Bowl, he could certainly rank above them and force the Lions’ hand to give him an extension.

Do you agree with LaPorta’s ranking? If not, where would you rank him? Let us know in the comments!

Read more at the Detroit Lions Community!

Written by

Dhruv Vishnu Nair

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore