Who Should I Start? Giovanni Ricci or Tommy Tremble

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, October 11, 9:43 PM

Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble hasn't done much for fantasy managers this season. While he had five catches (eight targets) for 42 yards and a touchdown in the Week 4 loss to the New England Patriots, he has been nearly irrelevant from a production standpoint. Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) is listed as questionable heading into the Week 6 meeting with the Dallas Cowboys, so there's a chance he won't be out there once again. Sure, the potential for added involvement should increase Tremble's fantasy potential. Still, even if Sanders remains sidelined, fantasy managers will be taking a gamble by rolling with the 25-year-old as their starting tight end for the favorable matchup with the Cowboys. especially with Xavier Legette in the mix.