Who Should I Start? Giovanni Ricci or Jack Stoll

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.

Wednesday, November 13, 5:17 PM

The Miami Dolphins claimed tight end Jack Stoll off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday and waived linebacker David Long Jr. in a corresponding move. Stoll became expendable for the Eagles when Dallas Goedert returned from a hamstring injury in the Week 10 win over the division-rival Dallas Cowboys after missing the previous three games. Stoll operated behind Grant Calcaterra with Goedert sidelined and wasn't really involved in the offense (only 17 snaps and no targets). In Miami, he'll serve as TE depth behind starter Jonnu Smith, Julian Hill and Durham Smythe. The former Nebraska Husker has just 22 receptions on 30 targets for 193 yards and no touchdowns in his three-plus NFL seasons in 57 games (28 starts).