The Atlanta Falcons are signing former Carolina Panthers tight end Feleipe Franks to a one-year contract. The financial details of the deal have not yet been disclosed. D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported the news. Franks, a former quarterback, signed initially with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent back in 2021 but spent most of his time on the field as a wildcat QB. The 27-year-old was converted to tight end in 2022. However, he did not make an NFL roster the following season. In 2024, the Arkansas alum appeared in 16 games for Carolina, catching one pass for 12 yards on 45 snaps. He'll slot in behind teammates Kyle Pitts and Charlie Woerner in the team's tight-end pecking order.
Panthers Elevate Tight End Feleipe Franks To Active Roster
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.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Feleipe Franks has been waived by the organization. He originally joined the team as a quarterback, but the team transitioned him into tight end last season. The 25-year-old has the size and athleticism to play the tight end position, but it never really worked out for him. He was injured during Wednesday's practice then Franks was cut by the team on Thursday. His versatility could help him catch on elsewhere with another organization. Possibly, Franks can be used as a dual-threat option somewhere, but he isn't on the fantasy radar right now.
It sounds as though the Atlanta Falcons haven't given up on making Feleipe Franks a tight end. The former college quarterback was moved to the tight end position last year and showed flashes during training camp, but he didn't have any catches during the regular season and was only targeted twice. Franks is under contract for less than $1 million for 2023, so the Falcons can afford to be patient with his development. It's disappointing that the 25-year-old didn't do anything at all in the passing game, especially considering Kyle Pitts' season-ending knee injury. Franks played more than five offensive snaps in a game just once in 2022. He should have a bigger offensive role in 2023, but he won't be on the fantasy radar at all unless Pitts misses time with another injury.
Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Feleipe Franks was working at tight end on Friday during individual periods during organized team activities. Franks is currently third on the team's QB depth chart behind Marcus Mariota and fellow rookie Desmond Ridder, but it remains to be seen if this will be a permanent move for Franks. At 6-foot-6, 234 pounds, the 24-year-old certainly has the size at the tight end position and isn't lacking in athleticism. Right now, it's just something to keep an eye on, and even if Franks spends more time as a pass-catcher, he'll still be behind second-year tight end Kyle Pitts and blocking tight end Anthony Firkser.
Feleipe Franks
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Falcons
