Boom or Bust for Browns’ Seth DeValve
Will DeValve take advantage of the lack of depth the Browns have at the tight end position and boom? Or will DeValve struggle to find the field and bust?
Quite possibly the most questionable pick for the Cleveland Browns in the 2016 NFL draft was selecting tight end Seth DeValve in the fourth round. By most accounts, DeValve was expected to go undrafted, so for the Browns to pull the trigger on this tight end prospect this early was a bit puzzling to say the least. DeValve comes to a Cleveland team with veteran pro bowler Gary Barnidge in front of him. Behind Barnidge there is a lot of question marks giving DeValve a chance to make this team. So will DeValve take advantage of the lack of depth the Browns have at the tight end position and boom? Or will DeValve struggle to find the field and bust?
Why DeValve will Boom for the Browns:
DeValve is not a traditional tight end prospect. DeValve played mostly wide receiver at Princeton suggesting that DeValve was chosen to be a matchup nightmare for opposing linebackers. With the versatility DeValve will bring to the Browns this year it could allow him to make the team since the other tight ends behind Barnidge are more blocking tight ends. DeValve has the size and speed to separate himself from the rest of the group on the roster. DeValve has plus ball skills and his time as a wide receiver should help him gain an edge on his competition in route running. DeValve could specialize in certain passing situations and redzone packages.
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Why DeValve will Bust for the Browns:
As a wide receiver DeValve had some questionable hands at times. DeValve struggled to hang onto the ball when contact followed the attempted catch, something he will experience a lot as a tight end. DeValve will need to add muscle to transition to the tight end position in the NFL, but he does have the frame to support more mass. After playing mostly as a wide receiver in college DeValve will have a long way to go to learn how to block like a tight end. Until DeValve’s blocking game picks up, he will be relegated to sub packages at best case scenario.
Will DeValve Boom or Bust
I’m just going to come right out and say it, bust. I like where the Browns head was at in trying to think outside the box, but I’m afraid this pick is just not the answer. DeValve has far too many flaws and not enough upside to make it at the NFL level. DeValve could make this team out of training camp due to lack of depth at the position, but beating out young tight ends Randall Telfair and E.J. Bibbs might be a difficult challenge. DeValve seems like a third tight end who may come down with a catch here or there, but not much more then that. I do not expect DeValve to stay with the team throughout the entirety of his rookie contract. Hopefully the Browns have higher hopes and a better plan in place for DeValve than I do right now.
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