Star tight end Sam LaPorta's health has been at the forefront of Detroit Lions fans' minds throughout the offseason. The 25-year-old playmaker saw his 2025 campaign end prematurely due to a back injury, and even though he's been rehabbing ever since the offseason began, it's still up in the air whether he'll be the same impact performer when he returns.
Assuming the old LaPorta will return, though, Lions fans should feel excited about the TE room's outlook. General manager Brad Holmes allowed underperformers to walk in free agency while adding some much-needed depth, hopefully, setting the stage for No. 87 to hit the ground running when he takes the field.
With the first month of free agency in the books, here's a look at how the Lions' tight end depth chart is shaping up ahead of the next phases of the NFL offseason.
Early 2026 Lions TE Depth Chart Projection
1. Sam LaPorta
Even if he's coming off a season-ending injury, LaPorta is still the Lions' TE1. Limited to just nine appearances last season, the former Iowa Hawkeye still managed to convert 40 receptions into 489 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Had he remained healthy, he would've been on pace for a 75-923-6 stat line in 17 games, despite competing with the likes of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams for targets.
The 2026 season will mark the final year of LaPorta's rookie contract, making it crucial that he fully recovers from his back ailment. He'll need a full effort not only to secure a big-money contract, but also to ensure that he remains the Lions' TE1 for years to come.
2. Tyler Conklin
The Lions' TE2 wasn't even on the roster last season. Tyler Conklin — who's played for three other teams and has 127 games of experience under his belt — was signed to a one-year contract when free agency opened, giving Detroit a reliable backup behind LaPorta after last year's insurance plans left much to be desired.
Conklin posted a quiet 7-101-0 stat line with the Los Angeles Chargers last season; however, he did have four straight years of at least 50 catches and 400 yards before that. He can also be trusted as a blocker, as Pro Football Focus lists him as going 35 pass-blocking downs without allowing a pressure in the last two seasons.
Assuming he doesn't regress, Conklin could find himself getting opportunities as a pass-catcher and blocker right out of the gate this fall.
3. Brock Wright
Entering his sixth season with the Lions, Brock Wright still hasn't taken that next step in his game. The 2025 campaign was another disappointing one, as Wright mustered 108 yards and two TDs on 14 catches before his season ended due to a neck injury in December. His 63.6 percent catch rate on 22 targets was a new career low.
Now that he's 27 years old, Wright is who he is at this point, and that's likely a TE3 at best. His pass-catching skills (or lack thereof) aren't anything to write home about, and it's not as if he's ever been a trusted blocker, having allowed 29 pressures on 265 opportunities (10.9 percent), per Pro Football Focus.
The 2026 season is also a contract year for Wright, making it in his best interest to find a way to prove his worth and move up the depth chart.
4. Zach Horton
Zach Horton spent his rookie season on the Lions' practice squad after going undrafted last April. The former James Madison/Indiana TE only saw 20 snaps (11 offensive, nine special teams) in two appearances, so he'll be hungry to prove himself to head coach Dan Campbell this summer.
Although far from a blue-chip up-and-comer, Horton displayed red-zone potential in his first (and only) season with the Hoosiers, scoring four TDs on 21 grabs (19.0 percent). The 6-foot-4, 252-pounder can also be used as a blocker when needed.
5. Thomas Gordon
Thomas Gordon was another undrafted rookie last year, spending 2025 going in and out of the rival Chicago Bears' organization. Eventually, the Bears decided they weren't ready to extend the partnership in January, allowing Gordon to join the Lions on a futures contract.
The Northwestern product tallied 54 catches for 529 yards and two TDs in 55 FBS games, and even has some professional experience after one game with the UFL's San Antonio Brahmas. Perhaps having a former TE as a head coach in Campbell will help unlock Gordon's next level, potentially giving him a chance to shine when the first tight end-related injury pops up.