Who Should I Start? Giovanni Ricci or Pat Freiermuth

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.

Saturday, November 8, 12:27 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has topped four targets in just one game this season but will hope to remain a reliable red-zone target for quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a Week 10 clash with the Los Angeles Chargers. Freiermuth has three touchdown catches over his last three contests, including two from inside the 20-yard line. Unfortunately, if he doesn't find the end zone on Sunday night, his fantasy output will likely disappoint as the Chargers have surrendered the fifth-fewest receptions and fifth-fewest yards to opposing tight ends this year. The 27-year-old is a fine dart throw in a pinch, but Freiermuth can't be started with any real confidence this week.