Who Should I Start? Harrison Bryant or Giovanni Ricci

Saturday, November 1, 5:55 AM

Houston Texans tight end Harrison Bryant has been the team's primary backup since Week 2, but his production has been limited to just one catch for five yards on four targets all year. He could be lined up for more work this week, though, since Dalton Schultz (knee/shoulder) has a questionable tag heading into a tough matchup with the Broncos. Schultz has been a solid PPR producer since tight ends are usually heavily involved in Houston's passing game under C.J. Stroud. Bryant is the No. 64 tight end in RotoBaller's rankings, so he isn't a good play unless Schultz is out or limited, but it is worth monitoring if the sixth-year tight end gets more work this week.

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.