Matt LaCosse

Tight end Matt LaCosse makes a catch during OTAs.

(John Munson | NJ Advance Media)

EAST RUTHERFORD - The latest no-name tight end to bubble to the surface with the Giants may already be making his move at organized team activities. Matt LaCosse has consistently been making plays this spring, and earned a large chunk of first-team snaps during Wednesday's OTA workout which was open to the media.

That's saying something with not one but two incumbent starters on the roster. Larry Donnell broke out in 2014 and it was Will Tye's turn last season when Donnell fractured a bone in his neck. They have both flashed promise as receivers, combining for 71 receptions for 687 yards and five touchdowns last season.

With a slightly more well rounded skill set, LaCosse - an undrafted rookie in his second season out of Illinois - is already pushing Donnell and Tye, the last two in a long line of unknown Giants tight ends to make a surprise impact working with quarterback Eli Manning. LaCosse, Donnell and Tye are joined in the tight end room by sixth-round pick Jerell Adams and undrafted rookie Ryan Malleck.

"The tight end position and the receiver position are pretty much two in the same right now," coach Ben McAdoo said this week. "We have a lot of guys going in and out of there and trying to show what they can do and we're going to give a lot of looks at those two groups and we're counting on the cream rising to the top."

The early reviews from OTAs show LaCosse making plays. He lined up wide right on Wednesday and made a leaping catch over safety Landon Collins deep down the right sideline. He reached back and plucked a ball off his back shoulder in the end zone on Thursday.

Every day, it seems he's catching passes in live drills. It's making it possible to envision LaCosse (despite a rare fumble on Wednesday) as this year's Donnell or Tye, even with Donnell and Tye still on the roster.

"I think I played really well in veteran minicamp. I think OTAs has been going really, really well," LaCosse said. "I've been able to catch a lot of footballs."

This is LaCosse's big chance. He was signed as an undrafted free agent last year but was waived early in training camp when he suffered a hamstring injury. He was re-signed later in the season and worked his way into the lineup by Week 16.

LaCosse appeared in two games and caught all three passes thrown in his direction. But it was what he showed in the run game that might differentiate him from the competition.

LaCosse may already be the best blocking tight end currently on the Giants roster, even if his competition in that regard isn't very strong.

"I think I blocked better than a lot of people expected me to [last year], which was big for me. I think that was what people thought was my big downfall coming in," said a noticeably buffer LaCosse, who put on close to 10 pounds of muscle in the past year. "Obviously the three catches in the Minnesota game I wasn't expecting that. I was expecting special teams. That was big for me.

"But overall I thought I played well, was very confident on the field. For lack of better words, I don't think it was necessarily too big for me. It was fun."

The confidence appears to have carried over to the spring. LaCosse isn't a rookie anymore. He's noticed more is being expected of him this year.

And he's able to produce.

"I'm just a lot more calm than last year," LaCosse said. "Last year was get the basics, know what you're doing each play. Now it's the details. What foot do I step with? When do I cut? How do I get off this guy? I think that is the difference."

Maybe most importantly, he believes his blocking is better. The difference in his footwork is monumental. He's stronger and his technique more refined.

That could be a significant factor in deciding his role this season, if he makes the team. The Giants had trouble filling the blocking tight end void after Daniel Fells' career ended early last season because of a MRSA infection.

But there is plenty of competition. Donnell and Tye have been starters. The Giants are invested in Adams. Fullback Will Johnson has also dabbled at tight end.

This summer the battle for spots on the roster and the lineup will be intense. The Giants have some intriguing options at tight end.

"I really think everyone in our room can be a starter," LaCosse said.

The next in a long line of no-name tight ends to make a sudden impact may already be in the making.

Jordan Raanan may be reached at jraanan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan. Find NJ.com Giants on Facebook.