The Patriots acquired tight end Asante Cleveland from the San Francisco 49ers, a source told CSNBayArea.com’s Matt Maiocco. In return, the 49ers receive offensive lineman Jordan Devey from the Patriots, reports ESPN. He joins a competition along the 49ers’ offensive line at potentially center and right guard, the positions where Joe Looney and Marcus Martin started Saturday night in the 49ers’ exhibition opener. However, they also lack depth at tackle. Devey played in seven games, starting four at guard, for the Patriots last season. He dressed for six games in San Francisco last season, but did not catch a pass.
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Cleveland was signed as a free agent out of the University of Miami after going unselected in the 2014 Draft. He spent the first half of the season on the practice squad before being added to the active roster when injuries to Vance McDonald and Derek Carrier created an opening.
The 49ers, meanwhile, ship off Cleveland from a tight end crop that was already pretty stacked.
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The Washington Redskins were among the teams looking for tight end depth even after signing two players and showing interest in 33-year-old Chris Cooley, out of football for two seasons, this week. Last year, Bill Belichick made the shocking move to deal guard Logan Mankins to the Tampa Buccaneers in exchange for Tim Wright and a draft pick. McDonald and Bell started, and Celek scored the 49ers’ only touchdown on a 10-yard pass from Blaine Gabbert in the second quarter.
