Ezra

Cleveland

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Cleveland’s deal includes $14.5 million in guaranteed money. The Jaguars acquired Cleveland from the Vikings in a deadline trade last season. He went on to start seven games for them, with six of his starts coming at left guard. He also stepped in to make a surprise start at left tackle in Week 14 against the Browns, showing versatility on both the interior and the outside. His new deal will keep him under contract with the Jaguars through 2026.

Cleveland started six games at left guard for the Vikings this season, earning a PFF blocking grade of 73.8. One of the better young guards in the league, Cleveland, a former second-round pick was the subject of trade rumors heading into Week 8 and hasn’t played since Week 6. He’ll now have a chance to start for the Jaguars for the remainder of the season, while Dalton Risner is the favorite to replace him in Minnesota.

Cleveland was listed as questionable because of a foot issue despite getting in three limited practices. He has been the subject of trade rumors recently, so the Vikings could be holding him out of action to make sure he is available to be moved ahead of the deadline. Dalton Risner will start at left guard.

LG Ezra Cleveland was also activated on Saturday. Both should slot right back into the starting lineup for the Vikings’ season finale.

Cleveland has missed two-straight games with this injury and wasn’t able to practice once all week. He’s questionable at best for Week 13 as well. It’s a slight downgrade for Dalvin Cook in theory, but the Panthers run defense has been abysmal for 24 months despite an upgraded coaching staff in 2020. The Vikings will also be without Adam Thielen and listed TE Irv Smith as doubtful.

Cleveland has drawn starts since October at right guard after being drafted as an athletic offensive tackle prospect. His absence is further complicated by Dru Samia’s placement on the COVID-19 list. Already a forgettable unit, the Vikings offensive line will be relying on backup play at home. Luckily Dallas’ lackluster defense is on the schedule.

Cleveland received first-round buzz throughout the 2020 NFL Draft process after posting two-straight first-team All-Mountain West honors at Boise State. He also showcased 91st-percentile athleticism at the underwear olympics in Indianapolis. Given the offseason, Cleveland may be better off inside at guard instead of being put on an island against the league’s best pass-rushers. Cleveland still has long-term upside at left tackle.

Cleveland was a late riser who was talked about as a potential first-rounder. Cleveland (6’6/311) earned the job as Boise State’s starting left tackle as a redshirt freshman, garnering back-to-back first-team All-Mountain West Conference honors in his final two seasons at the collegiate level. A true snap hog who soaked up 95.6 percent of the team’s offensive snaps as a three-year starter, Cleveland’s tall stance still leaves him susceptible to being overpowered while simultaneously limiting his ability in any power-running scheme. He still turned heads at Indy’s combine in leading all tackles in the Wonderlic (30), bench press (30), short shuttle (4.46), 3-cone (7.26), and 40-yard dash (4.93). His mobility and SPARQ athleticism (91st-percentile) should help him land as a work-in-progress starter at left tackle immediately. Cleveland is a perfect fit for OC Gary Kubiak’s offense.

Vikings added a first-round talent, Ezra Cleveland, to shore up Kirk Cousins’ blindside in the second round of Saturday’s festivities, leading Williams to reportedly nix any movement to Minnesota in the process. Whether the Vikings have done well in the draft (and they have through two nights) is a moot point as their organization was realistically one of the last remaining suitors for 31-year-old Williams to land with. At this point, it can’t be completely thrown out that he steps away from football entirely in 2020. There’s no conclusion to report as long as Williams refuses to play for Washington and, on the other end of the spectrum, other franchises refuse to give in to his lucrative demands. He remains up for grabs as one of the best left tackles in all of football.

Cleveland was a late riser who was talked about as a potential first-rounder. Cleveland (6’6/311) earned the job as Boise State’s starting left tackle as a redshirt freshman, garnering back-to-back first-team All-Mountain West Conference honors in his final two seasons at the collegiate level. A true snap hog who soaked up 95.6 percent of the team’s offensive snaps as a three-year starter, Cleveland’s tall stance still leaves him susceptible to being overpowered while simultaneously limiting his ability in any power-running scheme. He still turned heads at Indy’s combine in leading all tackles in the Wonderlic (30), bench press (30), short shuttle (4.46), 3-cone (7.26), and 40-yard dash (4.93). His mobility and SPARQ athleticism (91st-percentile) should help him land as a work-in-progress starter at left tackle immediately. Cleveland’s arrival in Minnesota could mean the end of the Trent Williams-Vikings rumors. Cleveland is a perfect fit for OC Gary Kubiak’s offense.