Feleipe

Franks

Tremble was listed as questionable with a back injury, but won’t be able to go against the New Orleans defense. That should lead to more snaps — and hopefully more targets — for Ja’Tavion Sanders.

Franks was hit in the head while attempting to make a play on special teams. The 26-year-old is considered questionable to return.

Franks has been trying to catch on with a team as a tight end since changing positions back in 2022. Franks didn’t take a regular-season snap in 2023 and could land back on the Panthers’ practice squad if he clears waivers.

With Tremble shut down, the Panthers signed tight end Feleipe Franks. Tremble has reportedly been dealing with a hamstring injury that hasn’t quite worked itself out. Rather than force the issue, head coach Dave Canales has opted to sideline Tremble in hopes of him reaching a full recovery. Tremble caught 23 passes for 194 yards and three scores last season and is battling for snaps with rookie Ja’Tavion Sanders and veteran Ian Thomas.

Franks joined the Falcons as a quarterback but transitioned to tight end last offseason. At 6-foot-7, 235 pounds, Franks has the size and athleticism but lacks the talent to earn significant playing time. Franks was reportedly injured in Wednesday’s practice, which prompted the team to cut him the following day. His versatility could help him catch on with another team once he’s healthy enough to play.

The Falcons are relatively healthy for their final game of the season. Although the Falcons don’t have anything to play for this week, that has been the case for weeks, and the team has still played hard. They can be expected to establish their typical run-heavy attack against a Bucs defense that has been vulnerable on the ground this season.

Franks, who signed with Atlanta last year as an undrafted free agent quarterback, has worked as a tight end in Falcons OTAs and minicamp sessions. He played tight end during some team practices in 2021, according to beat writers. At a recent practice, Franks caught a touchdown from rookie QB Desmond Ridder. “He’s a valuable football player for us,” Smith said of Franks, who is 6'7" and 235 pounds. Franks won’t be fantasy relevant unless the Falcons experience a litany of injuries to key offensive players this season.

Josh Rosen entered the game at 19-0 and immediately threw a pick-six. Patriots D/ST fantasy managers thank you very much, Arthur Smith. Feleipe Franks replaced Rosen and added an interception of his own. The Falcons made it into two third-and-inches situations in Patriots territory and were embarrassed at the point of attack. Ryan took four sacks, was bleeding on the sideline, and had problems with his ankle after one of New England’s second-quarter takedowns of him. It will be hard to have any confidence in Ryan next week, but the Jaguars are a plus draw on paper.

The Falcons are one of the healthier teams in the league coming off their post-London, Week 6 bye.

Franks (6'7"/234) is the biggest quarterback in this class. He started for roughly two and a half years at Florida before a season-ending injury took him out in 2019, giving way to Kyle Trask as the new Gators starter. Franks then transferred to Arkansas, where he posted a 68.5% completion and 8.9 yards per attempt, both of which were career-highs for Franks among seasons in which he completed in full. Those numbers are somewhat inflated by Arkansas’ RPO-heavy system, though, and it would probably be a stretch to say Franks had some sort of breakout that allowed him to produce in that capacity. A tank of a quarterback, Franks’ arm fits his build as he displays cannon-like arm strength. Franks is more like a civil war cannon, though, as his aim can be pretty scattershot, especially from the pocket. The good news is Franks plays comfortably outside the pocket, which is a style aided by his 4.61 40-yard dash. Franks is a bet on size and elite arm talent, not unlike Tyree Jackson a couple years ago.