NFL Media was the first to report that the Vikings were moving guard Ezra Cleveland to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ben Goessling reports that the return is a sixth-round pick that the Jaguars acquired from the Panthers.
Cleveland, a 2020 second-round selection, is nearing the end of his rookie deal. Due to a foot ailment that kept him out of action for the past two games, Dalton Risner was able to take his place in the starting lineup at left guard. Having performed admirably thus far, Risner is now certain to start for the remainder of the season.
Cleveland will presumably have an opportunity to earn a starting position on a club that is in contention in Jacksonville. He’ll provide them depth at the absolute least because he can play tackle or guard slot depending on the situation.
For a guy who was scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season, this trade gives the Vikings a late-round pick. It shows that they have faith in both Blake Brandel, the current backup at both guard positions, and Risner.
With the 58th overall pick in 2020, the Vikings selected the incredibly athletic Cleveland out of Boise State. In college, he played left tackle, but as a rookie, he switched to guard to accommodate the Vikings’ offensive line. He played left guard for the past three seasons. Before getting ill, Cleveland was, according to PFF, having the finest pass-blocking season of his career. Cleveland has always been a superb run blocker.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made two moves today: in addition, he traded late-round picks to the Cardinals to get quarterback Josh Dobbs.
