Who Should I Start? Nikola Kalinic or Feleipe Franks

Wednesday, January 29, 10:19 PM

The Atlanta Falcons announced on Tuesday that they signed free-agent tight end Nikola Kalinic to a Reserve/Future contract. The 28-year-old appeared in two games with the Los Angeles Rams in 2024 and previously played in the Canadian Football League from 2019-22 before joining the Indianapolis Colts. Since the end of the season in addition to Kalinic, Atlanta has signed quarterback Emory Jones, wide receivers Phillips Dorsett, Jesse Matthews, Dylan Drummond, Makai Polk and David Sills, running back Elijah Dotson, offensive linemen Joey Fisher, Jovaughn Gwyn, Tyron Wheatley Jr. and Matthew Cindric, defensive linemen Junior Aho, Khalid Kareem and LaCale London, and defensive backs Lamar Jackson and Benny Sapp III to Reserve/Futures deals.

Wednesday, September 18, 1:30 AM

The Carolina Panthers have promoted tight end Feleipe Franks from the practice squad to the active roster. Franks saw limited action in Sunday's 26-3 loss to the Chargers, playing just one offensive snap as starting tight end Tommy Tremble was active. A one-year starter at Arkansas, Franks spent three years at the University of Florida before signing with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2021. After playing quarterback, he transitioned to tight end in 2022. Atlanta waived him in 2023, then joined the Panthers in 2024. Franks started the season on the active roster, was briefly released, and then signed to the practice squad, where he contributed as a standard elevation last week. He has already made his mark on special teams, and with Ian Thomas (calf) on IR until early October and Jordan Matthews released, Franks is poised to take on a depth role for Carolina.