Who Should I Start? Devin Asiasi or Giovanni Ricci

Tuesday, September 26, 9:26 PM

The Cleveland Browns signed running back Deon Jackson and tight end Devin Asiasi to their practice squad on Tuesday. Jackson was released by the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday but did not have to wait long to latch on with another team. He will now bide his time in Cleveland where he could eventually get elevated from the practice squad if the team needs an extra body at the running back position. Jackson has had some big games over his NFL career but struggled in 2023, losing two fumbles and gaining just 14 yards on 13 carries. Asiasi last appeared in a game with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022 and finished the year with two catches for five yards.

Monday, February 3, 7:02 PM

The New England Patriots signed free-agent tight end Giovanni Ricci (knee) to a Reserve/Futures deal on Monday. Ricci was on the Cleveland Browns' practice squad in 2024 but never was active for a regular-season game and was cut in August due to a knee injury. The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Western Michigan made his NFL debut in 2021 with the Carolina Panthers, with all 36 of his career games coming with Carolina. In three NFL seasons, Ricci has caught only nine of 12 targets for 102 yards and no touchdowns with the Panthers. Ricci is more of a blocker than a pass-catcher and will now represent tight end depth for the Patriots throughout the offseason and into training camp this summer. The most likely scenario is that he'll effective serve as a fullback for new Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.