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.

Thursday, August 21, 8:58 PM

Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (back) was activated from the physically unable to perform list on Thursday, according to Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. Gantt writes that the team is hopeful that Tremble will be able to play in Week 1 after undergoing back surgery in May. The 25-year-old is entering his fifth season with the Panthers and has recorded exactly 32 targets and 23 receptions in each of the past two years. Tremble is not a fantasy-relevant tight end, but he's a valuable player to Carolina because of his run-blocking ability. He threatens to vulture snaps and targets away from Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders, who offers far more upside as a receiver.