Niko Lalos

Last updated

Niko Lalos
Niko Lalos (51402535534) (cropped).jpg
Lalos with the New York Giants in 2021
Personal information
Born: (1997-06-25) June 25, 1997 (age 27)
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:270 lb (122 kg)
Career information
High school: St. Vincent–St. Mary
(Akron, Ohio)
College: Dartmouth (2016–2019)
Position: Defensive end
Undrafted: 2020
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:6
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:1
Interceptions:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Nikolas A. Lalos (born June 25, 1997) is an American professional football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football for Dartmouth.

Contents

Early life

Lalos grew up in Akron, Ohio, and attended St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, where he played basketball and football. [1]

College career

Lalos was a member of the Dartmouth Big Green for four seasons, playing on the junior varsity team as a freshman before lettering in the final three seasons. As a senior, he was named first-team All-Ivy League after recording 35 tackles with a team-high 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks as well as seven passes broken up and an interception, which he returned 22 yards for a touchdown. Lalos finished his collegiate career with 59 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery in 24 games played. After his senior season, Lalos played in the 2020 Hula Bowl and was named the defensive MVP of the game after making six tackles with two sacks and a forced fumble. [2]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span
6 ft 4+58 in
(1.95 m)
268 lb
(122 kg)
33+14 in
(0.84 m)
9+12 in
(0.24 m)
All values from Pro Day [3]

New York Giants

Lalos was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent on April 25, 2020. [4] He was waived during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day. [5] [6] Lalos was elevated to the active roster on November 28, 2020, and made his NFL debut the following day against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12. [7] He received a Twitter shout-out from fellow St. Vincent–St. Mary High School alum LeBron James on the morning of his first career game. Lalos went on to catch a deflected pass thrown by Bengals' quarterback Brandon Allen for a game-altering interception while playing limited defensive snaps in the 19–17 victory. [8] He was elevated to the active roster again the following week against the Seattle Seahawks and recovered a fumble on a mishandled snap by Seattle's Russell Wilson during the 17–12 win. [9] He reverted to the practice squad after each game. The Giants signed Lalos to their active roster on December 8, 2020. [10]

On August 31, 2021, Lalos was waived by the Giants and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. [11] [12]

He signed a reserve/futures contract with the Giants on January 10, 2022. [13] On August 5, 2022, Lalos was waived. [14]

New Orleans Saints

On August 15, 2022, Lalos signed with the New Orleans Saints. [15] He was waived on August 30. [16] He was re-signed to the practice squad on November 16. [17]

Seattle Sea Dragons

On November 17, 2022, Lalos was drafted by the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL. [18] He finished the season with 35 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks with one forced fumble and one interception. [19] Lalos was released from his contract on May 15, 2023. [20]

New Orleans Saints (second stint)

On May 16, 2023, Lalos signed with the Saints, marking his second stint with the team. [21] He was waived on August 29, 2023 and re-signed to the practice squad. [22] [23] Following the end of the 2023 regular season, the Saints signed him to a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024. [24]

On August 27, 2024, Lalos was waived by the Saints and re-signed to the practice squad. [25] [26] On November 5, 2024, Lalos was cut. [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Dixon (American football)</span> American football player (born 1990)

Brandon Dixon is an American former professional football cornerback. He was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at Northwest Missouri State.

Eric Pinkins is a former American football linebacker and safety. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at San Diego State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deontae Skinner</span> American football player (born 1990)

Deontae Skinner is an American former professional football linebacker who played for the New England Patriots and New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Mississippi State and attended Noxubee County High School in Macon, Mississippi. He was also a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, and Tennessee Titans but did not appear in any games for those teams.

KeiVarae Russell is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Ed Eagan is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants. He played college football at Northwestern State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Holden (American football)</span> American football player (born 1993)

Will Holden is a former American football offensive tackle. He played college football at Vanderbilt University and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft.

Nigel Harris is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at South Florida, and signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2017.

Jeremiah McKinnon is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles. He also was a member of the New York Guardians in the XFL. He played college football at Florida International University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grant Haley (American football)</span> American football player (born 1996)

Grant Haley is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Penn State. Haley is best known for returning the blocked field goal against the then undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes for a game-winning touchdown in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven Parker (defensive back)</span> American football player (born 1995)

Steven Parker is an American professional football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nate Meadors</span> American football player (born 1997)

Nathan Malik Meadors is an American professional football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at UCLA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trent Harris (American football)</span> American football player (born 1995)

Trent Harris is an American former professional football linebacker who is the assistant outside linebackers coach for the Illinois Fighting Illini. He played college football for Miami. He signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montre Hartage</span> American football player (born 1997)

Montre Hartage is a former American football safety. He played college football at Northwestern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tae Crowder</span> American football player (born 1997)

Dequartavous "Tae" Crowder is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Georgia. He was selected by the New York Giants with the final pick in the 2020 NFL draft, making him that draft's Mr. Irrelevant.

Gavin Heslop is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. Heslop played college football at Stony Brook.

Derrick Kelly II is an American football offensive guard for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Florida State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Bachie</span> American football player (born 1998)

Joe Bachie is an American professional football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan State. He has also played for the New Orleans Saints and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jackson Dean Heflin is an American professional football defensive tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at Northern Illinois and Iowa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryce Thompson (American football)</span> American football player (born 1999)

Bryce Thompson is an American professional football cornerback for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Tennessee.

Ryder Patrick Anderson is an American professional football defensive end for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ole Miss and Indiana.

References

  1. Beaven, Michael (November 29, 2020). "Akron native Niko Lalos grabs interception in NFL debut with New York Giants". Akron Beacon Journal . Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  2. Beaven, Michael (April 28, 2020). "St. V-M graduate Niko Lalos ready for NFL opportunity with New York Giants". Akron Beacon Journal . Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  3. "2020 NFL Draft Scout Niko Lalos College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  4. Benton, Dan; Fennelly, John (April 25, 2020). "2020 NFL Draft: Giants undrafted rookie free agent scorecard". Giants Wire. USA Today . Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  5. Gantt, Darin (September 5, 2020). "Giants cut 28 to get to 53-man limit". Profootballtalk.com . NBC Sports . Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  6. Eisen, Michael (September 6, 2020). "Giants sign 14 to practice squad; 2 spots open". Giants.com. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  7. Alper, Josh (November 28, 2020). "Giants activate Graham Gano, Xavier McKinney". Profootballtalk.com . NBC Sports . Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  8. Dunleavy, Ryan (November 30, 2020). "Niko Lalos' Giants debut only got better after LeBron James shoutout". New York Post. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  9. Eisen, Michael (December 6, 2020). "Recap: Giants rally in Seattle for fourth consecutive win". Giants.com. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  10. Alper, Josh (December 8, 2020). "Giants sign Niko Lalas to active roster, Joe Webb to practice squad". Profootballtalk.com . NBC Sports . Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  11. Eisen, Michael (September 1, 2021). "New York Giants announce 53-man roster". Giants.com.
  12. Eisen, Michael (September 1, 2021). "Giants establish practice squad amid roster moves". Giants.com.
  13. Eisen, Michael (January 10, 2022). "QB Daniel Jones 'progressing' in rehab process". Giants.com.
  14. Eisen, Michael (August 5, 2022). "Giants sign T Will Holden; waive DE Niko Lalos". Giants.com.
  15. "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  16. "New Orleans Saints make roster reductions to 53". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 30, 2022.
  17. "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. November 16, 2022.
  18. "XFL 2022 Draft Recap: Seattle Sea Dragons Full Draft". November 19, 2022.
  19. Benton, Dan (May 3, 2023). "Ex-Giants shined during 2023 XFL regular season". Giants Wire. USA Today . Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  20. "XFL Transactions" . Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  21. "Saints sign a familiar face out of the XFL after a tryout at rookie minicamp". Saints Wire. May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  22. "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 29, 2023.
  23. "New Orleans Saints announce practice squad additions". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 30, 2023.
  24. "New Orleans Saints sign 11 to reserve/future contracts". NewOrleansSaints.com. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  25. "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 27, 2024.
  26. "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 28, 2024.
  27. "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". www.neworleanssaints.com. Retrieved November 7, 2024.