Who Should I Start? Giovanni Ricci or Daniel Bellinger

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.

Sunday, November 2, 11:43 AM

New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (neck), who was listed as doubtful to play in Week 9, is officially out on Sunday against the visiting San Francisco 49ers. Bellinger suffered a neck injury in last Sunday's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and will not suit up. His next chance to play will come next Sunday, Nov. 9, versus the Chicago Bears on the road. With the 25-year-old sitting out this weekend, Chris Manhertz will see more time on the field as a blocking TE, but he shouldn't be an option in any starting fantasy options. Theo Johnson should see more targets in the passing game as the G-Men look to get back on track after two straight losses. When healthy, Bellinger is more of a TE3 in fantasy as he shares playing time in New York with Johnson. In his eight games played in 2025, he has only 11 catches for 194 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets.