The safest and most reliable outlet for an NFL quarterback to get yards in a game when they need it the most is the tight end position. A reliable tight end can be the difference when Michigan sports betting customers are considering an NFL wager.
So, who are some of the emerging tight ends in the league, especially ones who are producing in a big way with relatively low contracts?
For this study, BetMichigan.com utilized Pro-Football-Reference.com to find the cap hit and receiving yards of every NFL tight end during the 2023-24 NFL regular season. After doing the math of the $ per point share for each player in the league, we were able to determine the 10 most value-driven TEs from this season. Salary and yards were included for all teams the player was on during the 2023-24 season. (Note: The blocking skill of tight ends was unable to be numerically represented in this campaign.)
Most Undervalued NFL Tight Ends of 2023-24
This chart was compiled by BetMichigan.com and not available on Michigan sportsbook apps.
LaPorta Became a Weapon for Lions
Was there a better find who was more productive this season than Detroit Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta? LaPorta is a big reason the Lions came so close to winning the NFC title. Instead, LaPorta and the Lions are finding Fanatics Sportsbook Michigan and other oddsmakers rolling out lines for a 49ers-Chiefs Super Bowl.
And if you looking to wager on the Super Bowl, take a look at Michigan sportsbook promos before doing so.
LaPorta is snuggled right in the middle of the Top 10 at No. 5 with 889 receiving yards (second most on the list) at $1,936 per yard. However, he has the biggest salary cap hit of the 10 at $1,721,089 - close to $300,000 more than No. 3 tight end Trey McBride of the Arizona Cardinals ($1,431,741). Jake Ferguson of the Dallas Cowboys topped the list with 761 yards ($1,375 per yard) with a salary cap hit of $1,046,221. The 2022 fourth-round draft pick out of Wisconsin had five touchdowns on the season.
LaPorta, 23, a 2023 second round draft choice out of Iowa, had a huge impact on the success of the Lions and of quarterback Jared Goff. LaPorta recorded 86 receptions for 889 yards (fifth among all tight ends in the NFL) and 10 touchdowns (tied for fourth in the league) in his rookie season.
In his final game, LaPorta had nine receptions for a team-leading 97 yards (10.8 avg.) in Sunday’s 34-31 road loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship. In three playoff games, he had 21 catches (27 targets) for 176 yards (8.4 avg.) and one TD.
Look for even a bigger season out of LaPorta in 2024.
