The Frankman
Footballguy
At Naperville North High School, LaCosse played football, basketball, and baseball, earning eight varsity letters. As quarterback, he led Naperville North to the Class 8A quarterfinals in his senior year. In his senior season, he recorded 1,218 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, 919 passing yards, and five passing touchdowns. He was named honorable mention All-State by the Chicago Tribune and was rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com. He initially gave an oral commitment to the University of Minnesota, but after their coach, Tim Brewster, was fired, LaCosse reconsidered and eventually chose Illinois.
As a true freshman in 2011, LaCosse played in 10 games for the Illini. He made one start that year. His debut came against South Dakota State. He caught his first career pass for 11 yards in a game at Minnesota. As a sophomore in 2012, LaCosse played in all 12 games at tight end and got playing time on special teams. He recorded three catches for 32 yards. One of his receptions was for a successful two-point conversion against Ohio State. LaCosse played in all 12 games and started nine of those games as the tight end in 2013. As a junior, he totaled 20 receptions for 237 yards. He ranked third on the team with three touchdown receptions. His season was highlighted by his career-high five receptions at Indiana. He also recorded three catches for 68 yards and two touchdowns against Miami (Ohio). He caught a two-point conversion pass against Southern Illinois. During his senior year at Illinois in 2014, he recorded 14 receptions for a total of 117 yards and three touchdowns. At the Illinois Pro Day, LaCosse ran his 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds, and got 20 bench-press reps of 225 pounds.[
LaCosse went undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft and was signed by the New York Giants afterwards. He was waived that August due to a hamstring injury. After signing with a Jets and being waivd by them (quickly), he was resigned by the Giants in November, and a month later LaCosse made his professional regular season debut and caught three passes for 22-yards during a 49-17 loss at the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. He would finish his rookie year with that total. In 2016 he competed for the starting TE job with Larry Donnell and Will Tye but injured his knee in camp, and was waived. He was re-signed as a ERFA in 2017 and battled for the backup TE job with Will Tye, Jerell Adams, and Rhett Ellison. A preseason standout, Ben McAdoo remarked "He is a big target down there in the green zone [at 6'6]. Matchup-wise he gives you that length that you are looking for, he can run and he is a functional blocker. So he has a nice skill set.” He eventually was named the 4th TE and after minimal playing time he was released and placed on the practice squad. Denver signed him off of in December of that year. Fansided had this to say:
He's a deeper league option to be sure, but this is a guy who could be a real sneaky player for teams in the fantasy playoffs.
As a true freshman in 2011, LaCosse played in 10 games for the Illini. He made one start that year. His debut came against South Dakota State. He caught his first career pass for 11 yards in a game at Minnesota. As a sophomore in 2012, LaCosse played in all 12 games at tight end and got playing time on special teams. He recorded three catches for 32 yards. One of his receptions was for a successful two-point conversion against Ohio State. LaCosse played in all 12 games and started nine of those games as the tight end in 2013. As a junior, he totaled 20 receptions for 237 yards. He ranked third on the team with three touchdown receptions. His season was highlighted by his career-high five receptions at Indiana. He also recorded three catches for 68 yards and two touchdowns against Miami (Ohio). He caught a two-point conversion pass against Southern Illinois. During his senior year at Illinois in 2014, he recorded 14 receptions for a total of 117 yards and three touchdowns. At the Illinois Pro Day, LaCosse ran his 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds, and got 20 bench-press reps of 225 pounds.[
LaCosse went undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft and was signed by the New York Giants afterwards. He was waived that August due to a hamstring injury. After signing with a Jets and being waivd by them (quickly), he was resigned by the Giants in November, and a month later LaCosse made his professional regular season debut and caught three passes for 22-yards during a 49-17 loss at the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. He would finish his rookie year with that total. In 2016 he competed for the starting TE job with Larry Donnell and Will Tye but injured his knee in camp, and was waived. He was re-signed as a ERFA in 2017 and battled for the backup TE job with Will Tye, Jerell Adams, and Rhett Ellison. A preseason standout, Ben McAdoo remarked "He is a big target down there in the green zone [at 6'6]. Matchup-wise he gives you that length that you are looking for, he can run and he is a functional blocker. So he has a nice skill set.” He eventually was named the 4th TE and after minimal playing time he was released and placed on the practice squad. Denver signed him off of in December of that year. Fansided had this to say:
During training camp, LaCosse competed against Austin Traylor, Jeff Heuerman, and Troy Fumagalli for the job as the primary backup tight end. Head coach Vance Joseph named LaCosse the third tight end on the depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Jeff Heuerman and Jake Butt. After they both suffered injuries knocking them out for the season LaCosse was elevated to be the starting TE. He got his first start on November 18th and caught his first touchdown last week vs. Pittsburgh.LaCosse checked in at the Illinois pro day at 6-foot-6, 257 pounds, which is very good size for a tight end, and he ran a 4.71 second 40-yard dash, with 20 bench press reps. Also very good numbers.
Athletically and physically, LaCosse is pretty much how you would draw up a tight end. He has the ability to play in-line but is definitely more the type of player you split out and create mismatches in the passing game with.
Perhaps the Broncos are seeking from LaCosse what they did not get from A.J. Derby in that regard.
He's a deeper league option to be sure, but this is a guy who could be a real sneaky player for teams in the fantasy playoffs.
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