The Detroit Lions could face a difficult financial decision regarding tight end Sam LaPorta when the next NFL free-agency period arrives. With several young players expected to receive new contracts in the coming years, some analysts believe the team may struggle to keep LaPorta long-term.

However, that situation might also create an opportunity for Detroit in the 2026 NFL Draft.

That idea was recently floated by FOX Sports analyst Ralph Vacchiano. In an article published Wednesday, Vacchiano suggested that the Kansas City Chiefs should consider targeting LaPorta in a draft-day trade.

Vacchiano estimated the tight end’s value to be around a second-round selection. Instead of sending that pick, though, he proposed a more unusual scenario in which the Chiefs and Lions would exchange first-round picks as part of a package that includes LaPorta.

If such a deal happened, Detroit would move up from the No. 17 selection to the No. 9 spot in the first round.

Vacchiano pointed out that LaPorta is recovering from back surgery and entering the final season of his contract. With multiple young stars on Detroit’s roster needing new deals, he suggested the team could eventually find it difficult to keep the tight end. In his hypothetical scenario, Kansas City would also include a conditional fourth-round pick in 2027 to complete the trade.

LaPorta burst onto the scene in 2023, earning a Pro Bowl nod after recording 86 receptions, 889 yards, and 10 touchdowns as a rookie. Across 42 career games, he has totaled 186 catches, 2,104 receiving yards, and 20 touchdowns.

Is a LaPorta Trade Realistic?

Vacchiano isn’t the only analyst to raise the possibility of Detroit moving the talented tight end. Earlier in the offseason, Eric Edholm of NFL.com also explored a potential LaPorta trade.

In Edholm’s scenario, Detroit would receive the No. 7 overall selection from the Washington Commanders. The proposal included additional players and draft picks, but those two assets were the centerpiece of the exchange.

Although LaPorta is one of the league’s top young tight ends, many observers believe landing a top-10 pick straight up for him would be difficult. A second-round choice or a swap involving first-round selections appears more realistic.

Even though first-round pick swaps are uncommon in the NFL, Vacchiano’s suggestion could appeal to Detroit. Trading LaPorta now would prevent the Lions from potentially losing him in free agency next year, while also giving them a better chance to select a premium player early in the draft — particularly along the offensive or defensive line.

Those two positions are widely viewed as Detroit’s biggest needs heading into the 2026 draft.

Filling the Void at Tight End

In Edholm’s earlier proposal, Detroit would have received tight end Ben Sinnott from Washington as part of the package. While Sinnott doesn’t offer the same receiving production as LaPorta, he would at least provide a replacement option at the position.

Under Vacchiano’s concept, Detroit would gain a higher draft slot to address the trenches but would then need to find another solution at tight end.

Beyond LaPorta, the Lions’ offseason roster includes Brock Wright, Tyler Conklin, Zach Horton, and Thomas Gordon. However, none of them currently match LaPorta’s impact as a receiving threat.

The 25-year-old posted 40 receptions for 489 yards and three touchdowns before a back injury cut short his 2025 season. During the stretch of games he missed, Detroit struggled, finishing with a 3–5 record without him in the lineup.