Matt LaCosse

With Rob Gronkowski no longer in the mix, the tight end position was largely an afterthought in the Patriots' passing game in 2019. In that context, LaCosse finished the campaign - his first with New England - with just 13 catches (on 19 targets) for 131 yards and a TD in 11 games. Prior to the start of the 2020 season, LaCosse elected to opt out due to COVID-19 concerns.

Rob Gronkowski has retired, so LaCosse -- who logged a 24/250/1 stat line in 15 games for Denver in 2018 -- has a chance to help fill the resulting giant void at tight end. It's going to take more than one player to replace Gronkowski and to that end the team also added Ben Watson to the mix. Of the two, LaCosse could be perceived to have the lowest fantasy ceiling, but if things end up clicking between him and QB Tom Brady in red-zone situations, there could be some sleeper value to be mined here. Note that Watson is set to serve a four-game suspension before commencing his second stint in New England, so the 6-foot-6, 255-pound LaCosse is currently on track to work as the team's Week 1 starter at tight end.

LaCosse was a reserve TE, vying for a roster spot. However, he was ultimately released after the third week of the preseason.