Detroit Lions sign second-roun...

The Detroit Lions will head into summer break with another of their draft picks under contract.

Tight end Sam LaPorta signed his four-year contract Thursday, the team announced after its final organized team activity practice of the spring.

LaPorta received a slotted four-year deal worth $9.465 million as the No. 34 pick of April's draft. His contract includes a signing bonus of $3.884 million, according to Spotrac.

The Lions took LaPorta with the third pick of the second round, one spot ahead of Notre Dame's Michael Mayer, who signed his slotted four-year deal Wednesday.

LaPorta is expected to serve as the Lions' top receiving tight end this fall after catching 153 passes for 1,786 yards in four seasons at Iowa. He finished as the school's all-time leader in receptions by a tight end and was a finalist for the Mackey Award given to the nation's top tight end last season, and impressed coaches and onlookers with his play this spring.

"He’s right where he needs to be," Lions tight ends coach Steve Heiden said Monday. "He’s doing a good job every day coming and trying to implement the things that we’re teaching within the gameplan and scheme, so he’s right where he needs to be."

LaPorta faces a significant learning curve playing the tight end position that, because of complexity, has historically been tough on rookies. But he showed the ability to separate from defenders in OTAs and last week's veteran minicamp and did not encounter any of the drop problems some worried about coming out of college.

The Lions also return Brock Wright, James Mitchell and Shane Zylstra from a tight end room that caught a franchise-record 12 touchdowns by the position last season.

The Lions traded top tight end T.J. Hockenson, another Iowa product, to the Minnesota Vikings at midseason last year.

"I think the biggest thing (with Sam) is just try to put him in as many positions as possible, that includes in the classroom, showing him film, what can go on," Heiden said. "And then, to be honest, it’s really about getting out here, getting on the field and feeling the speed of the game and just learning on the field and on the grass. That’s the best way to go about it. Throw him out there, feet to the fire and then let’s go. Let’s go learn."

The Lions have seven of their nine draft picks under contract. First-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs (No. 12 overall) and second-rounder Brian Branch (No. 45) are the only Lions draft choices left unsigned.