Patriots Promote TE Asante Cleveland, Release LB Eric Martin

With the Patriots set to travel to Denver tomorrow, the Patriots have promoted TE Asante Cleveland from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. That likely means that they expect Michael Williams to not be available for the game against Denver. Cleveland is a good blocking TE with developing receiving skills at 6'5" 250. With his promotion to the 53, Cleveland is playing on Sunday against the Broncos. The Patriots initially picked up Cleveland in a preseason trade for OG/Tuba Player Jordan Devey. He was waived on September 1st as part of their final cuts then placed on the practice squad after he cleared waivers. He's been on the team's practice squad all season long.

A domino effect from this move could allow the Patriots to free up Rob Gronkowski as a receiver, who was either stuck blocking in or got muscled by two linebackers against the Bills. One of the reasons the Patriots struggled against the Bills after Williams got hurt is Gronk was their best active blocking TE and they didn't have the freedom to move him around the formations. Hopefully this move gives them that freedom. With the Patriots decimated receiving corps, they need all the help they can get, including from their superstar TE. Just don't cover him with drones while he's in the shower, Denver.