A person with direct knowledge of the trade says the San Francisco 49ers have dealt tight end Asante Cleveland to the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots for offensive lineman Jordan Devey, a former University of Memphis standout.
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Cleveland had three receptions for 10 yards in the 49ers first preseason game of the year against Houston, but Pro Football Focus gave him the second-worst offensive game rating on the team thanks to poor blocking and route-running.
It’s not yet known what the 49ers acquired in return for Cleveland. According to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, the San Francisco 49ers had been receiving calls regarding Asante Cleveland and fellow tight end Derek Carrier. Cleveland, who’s 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, went undrafted out of Miami last offseason and played in six games for the 49ers last year, although he didn’t catch a pass. The only other tight end on the Redskins roster with any real NFL experience, Jordan Reed, has been limited in camp and has a lengthy injury history.
Cleveland was picked up by the 49ers as an undrafted free agent following the 2014 NFL draft. With Vernon Davis and Vance McDonald locks to make the roster and rookies Blake Bell and Busta Anderson trying to make an impression, there’s logic in making a move.
“(There’s) more work to do”, Devey said in the locker room after New England’s Super Bowl win.
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Devey played in 16 snaps at right tackle in Thursday’s preseason opener between the Patriots and Packers. San Francisco announced the agreement to the swap Tuesday.
