The Jacksonville Jaguars are getting high marks for trading Minnesota Vikings left guard Ezra Cleveland.
In ESPN’s annual review of trade deadline moves, the Jaguars received an A- for trading a 2024 sixth-round pick to Cleveland, who is expected to enter the starting lineup at the remaining guard position at some point in the second half of the season. .
“The offensive line is a serious weakness for the Jaguars.The team’s 45% completion rate is third-worst in the NFL.It’s hidden at times by Trevor Lawrence’s strong sack avoidance, but the porous line hurts harmful to the overall performance of the team.”, ESPN said.
One particular weak point has been the left guard spot, where Tyler Shatley’s 82% pass block win rate ranks 63rd out of 65 qualifiers.He would rank in the bottom 15 in run block win rate if he qualified, too.Ben Bartch, who started at left guard before Shatley took over, was only slightly better in each category.Cleveland, an apparent rental who looks like he will be an upgrade.In Minnesota this season, Cleveland’s 92% pass block win rate ranked 31st out of 65 guards, and his run block win rate ranked 18th.For Jacksonville, this move makes sense.This team is trying to compete, has a clear chance in the AFC South and can fill the weakness at a relatively cheap price. For general manager Trent Baalke, Cleveland’s high points represent solid progress in the Jaguars’ commitment to bolstering the offensive line during the bye week. Trevor Lawrence is being sacked at the highest rate of his young career, and the Jaguars have started three different players at left guard in eight games.Cleveland, 25, was a second-round pick out of Boise State in 2020 and appeared in 54 career games for the Vikings, including 40. He started most of his games at cornerback left back, but spent his rookie season at right back.Cleveland has started and appeared in six games this season, all at left back. His rookie contract expires at the end of the 2023 season. He is also linked to Jaguars offensive line coach Phil Rauscher, as Rauscher coached the Vikings’ offensive line in 2020 and 2021. Obviously, it takes a good player to come in here and help us and we’ve got a good offensive line and Ezra can come in and give us some really good depth,” Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said Tuesday on the Pat McAfee Show.
“And it’s just about taking him and bringing him in room, you know, with a very good offensive line. I mean, people like Brandon Scherff, he’s a leader in this, and Luke Fortner. And, you know, I mean, you look at these guys, Cam Robinson, I mean, Walker Little, these guys are cutting corners every week. So by drafting a guy like Ezra, of his caliber, we have a starting-type guard that really, really, you know, strengthens our offensive line and makes them I get better.
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