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Cleveland Browns: Seth DeValve turned heads at OTAs

By Sayre Bedinger

Jun 13, 2017; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Seth DeValve (87) makes a catch during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2017; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Seth DeValve (87) makes a catch during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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A 2016 fourth round draft pick out of Princeton, Cleveland Browns tight end Seth DeValve made significant strides in his second NFL offseason…

There’s nothing wrong with optimism in the offseason, especially this year for the Cleveland Browns. For the first time in a long time, the Browns appear to have, at least on paper, something going. That includes a possible breakout candidate at the tight end position in 2016 sixth round pick Seth DeValve out of Princeton, who has been putting on ‘clinics’ according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal:

"“The clinics DeValve would put on (at Browns OTAs) suddenly made him look like a go-to target for whichever Browns quarterback wins the starting job, and it’s not far-fetched to believe the young tight end could be the team’s most improved player.”Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal"

DeValve’s development, along with the drafting of David Njoku, are helping make sense of the Browns’ release of Gary Barnidge, a veteran and Pro Bowl player as recently as 2015. Ulrich passed along an interesting quote that might help explain why DeValve will be the new ‘Barnidge’ and break out this season.

"“His ability to run routes, catch the ball, leave his feet, catch the ball away from his body and he has a big catch radius, I think those things are showing up out here. I’m pleased with what he has done developing as a blocker from a technical and footwork standpoint. The proof will be obviously when we put the pads on, but he is ahead of where he was a year ago. I see Seth as a guy who is important to us.”Browns TE coach Greg Seamon, via Akron Beacon Journal"

That’s high praise for a player that anyone outside of Cleveland probably forgot was even drafted. In fact, DeValve wasn’t invited to the Scouting Combine before being taken in the fourth round by the Browns, who saw him run a 4.68 40-yard dash and post a remarkable 40-inch vertical jump at his Pro Day.

There’s no doubt David Njoku will see the field his rookie season, but it will likely be DeValve that has the first opportunity at starter reps this year. That could make him an intriguing fantasy football option for all of you junkies as well.

Yeah, I’m buying stock in this guy.

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