New Free Agent Joins Vikings Roster
The somewhat long drought is over for the Minnesota Vikings.
The drought is over for the Vikings. The team added its first new veteran free agent in 12 weeks.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had not signed a veteran free agent in about 12 weeks, with wide receiver Rondale Moore as the last addition on March 20th.
This time, the Vikings signed a depth tight end — Giovanni Ricci.
TE Giovanni Ricci to the Vikings
It’s a done deal for Ricci, 28, who will hope to earn a spot on the Vikings’ regular season roster at the end of summer.
NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper wrote Tuesday, the first day of Vikings’ mandatory minicamp: “The Vikings shuffled their roster ahead of Tuesday’s start to their mandatory minicamp. The team announced the signing of tight end Giovanni Ricci. Linebacker Matt Harmon was waived in a corresponding move. Ricci signed with the Panthers after going undrafted in 2020 and made his regular season debut the next year.”
“He had nine catches for 102 yards in 36 games for the team over the next three seasons and he was also credited with 19 tackles while playing on special teams. Ricci spent time with the Browns and Patriots last year, but did not appear in any games.”
The Western Michigan alumnus is 6’3″ and 240 pounds.
Who’s Giovanni Ricci?
Ricci went undrafted in 2020, but the Carolina Panthers scooped him from undrafted free agency, where he stuck around for four seasons.
Here’s Ricci’s NFL resume through five seasons:
- Carolina Panthers (2020–2023)
- Cleveland Browns (2024)
- New England Patriots (2025)
The veteran tight end has only been targeted by various Panthers quarterbacks 12 times in his entire career, so fans should not interpret the free-agent addition as an impactful offensive playmaker.
In fact, Ricci has played just 337 offensive snaps in five seasons, a lowly amount for a tight end. On the other hand, the Panthers used Ricci substantially on special teams from 2021 to 2023. He tabulated 647 special teams plays during his time in Carolina.
A similar role should be expected in Minnesota if Ricci has the oomph to make the 53-man roster.
The Vikings’ TE Room
Here’s the updated Vikings’ tight end room with the Ricci addition:
- T.J. Hockenson
- Josh Oliver
- Gavin Bartholomew
- Ben Yurosek
- Giovanni Ricci
- Bryon Nesbit
Minnesota, too, could add an extra tight end this summer, a player like Gerald Everett, with ties to head coach Kevin O’Connell from the Los Angeles Rams days. Moreover, several tight ends will flood the open market when NFL teams shave their rosters from 90 players to 53 at the end of August.
Odds of Ricci Making the Regular Season Roster
Ricci likely has a practice squad ceiling for the 2025 Vikings. He won’t steal a roster spot from Bartholomew or Yurosek — or if he does, it will signal poor pre-draft scouting by Minnesota.
His one path to the regular season would be his special team prowess, which he’ll get a chance to display at training camp and in the preseason.
Ricci’s Scouting Report before Draft
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein on Ricci before the 2020 NFL Draft: “Converted wide receiver who has added weight and possesses the catch toughness to be considered a viable matchup tight end. Ricci is a good athlete and very good route-runner with the ball skills to create trust with his quarterback. However, he’s going to have to improve his play strength and get more physical inside his route to factor as a pro.”
“Former receiver with loose, athletic gait in open field. Has early acceleration to challenge seam. Has added 40 pounds of good weight on his frame since the start of his college career. Routes are crisp with some detail to leverage. Looks to find football immediately out of breaks and turns. Nimble feet in space after catch. Excellent ball skills to extend and snare throws over his head. Impressive catch focus when it’s noisy near him. Quick hands to pluck and tuck through contact.”
Most of Ricci’s receptions to date came from the hands of Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, for curious minds.
Zierlein also noted Ricci’s weakness: “Frame is below desired NFL standards at the position. Has some rough outings at point of attack. Blocks like a converted receiver. Unable to land and sustain run blocks with much success. Benefitted from numerous free releases and rubs for early route freedom. Could struggle getting off the line against NFL press. Needs to become more physical at top of the route. Average late creation of catch space.”
Ricci was born in Loveland, Ohio.
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