Sam LaPorta has the kind of profile that can pop on a trade board fast, and the Seattle Seahawks look like a team that could use exactly that kind of boost. With their passing game still searching for steadier footing, the Detroit Lions tight end stands out as a realistic name to watch if Seattle decides to go shopping.
The case starts with what LaPorta brings on the field. He has 27 catches for 316 yards and three touchdowns this season, production that would immediately give the Seahawks another dependable option in the middle of the field. He can help move the chains and create matchup problems, which is exactly the sort of presence Seattle has not consistently gotten from its tight end group.
That matters because the Seahawks’ top tight ends have not delivered the weekly punch the team expected. AJ Barner has 15 receptions for 138 yards and no touchdowns, while Elijah Arroyo is on injured reserve. That combination makes the appeal of an established receiver at the position pretty obvious.
There is also the larger issue of Sam Darnold’s turnovers. He has thrown seven interceptions this season, a number that has raised concerns about how efficiently the offense is operating. LaPorta would give him a reliable target who can help extend drives and make the quarterback’s job easier.
And it is not just about the tight end room. Rashid Shaheed and Cooper Kupp have also gotten off to slow starts, which leaves Seattle looking for any move that could bring more life to the passing attack. If the Seahawks decide to explore the trade market, LaPorta would give them another weapon and a much-needed upgrade in the passing game.
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Philadelphia, though, is not exactly operating from a position that invites easy trade talk, even with the team dealing with its own struggles and injuries. Barkleys recent production only adds to the intrigue, but the bigger question remains whether the Eagles would even consider moving a player of his caliber before the market gets any farther along. [Read more 🡒]