Vikings Select Offensive Tackle Ezra Cleveland in Second Round of 2020 NFL Draft
The Minnesota Vikings have selected Boise State offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland with the 58th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Cleveland is the Vikings' third pick in the top 60, joining LSU receiver Justin Jefferson and TCU corner Jeff Gladney, the team's pair of first round picks from Thursday night.
GM Rick Spielman indicated that the Vikings were looking to be aggressive on Day 2, so it may have surprised some that they didn't move up in the second round. But with the board falling the way it did, Spielman was content to stay put and wind up with a borderline first-round talent in Cleveland.
This is a pick that will make Gary Kubiak and Rick Dennison happy. Cleveland is a ridiculously athletic developmental tackle prospect who is a perfect fit for the Vikings' zone-blocking scheme. He needs plenty of coaching on his technique, but his ceiling is very high. With Cleveland and Brian O'Neill, the Vikings have one of the most athletic, mobile duo of young tackles in the NFL.
This is where Cleveland's combine numbers rank among offensive linemen, historically:
The Vikings don't pick again until 89th overall, so it would not be surprising at all to see them move up before then.
This pick likely indicates that the Vikings won't trade for Trent Williams, though anything could still happen.
Here's the updated list of drafted players and remaining selections for the Vikings.
Thursday, April 23rd
- Round 1, Pick 22 (via BUF): Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
- Round 1, Pick 31 (via SF): Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
Friday, April 24th
- Round 2, Pick 58: Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
- Round 3, Pick 89: Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
Saturday, April 25th
- Round 4, Pick 117 (via SF)
- Round 4, Pick 130 (via NO)
- Round 4, Pick 132
- Round 5, Pick 155 (via BUF)
- Round 5, Pick 169 (via NO)
- Round 5, Pick 176 (via SF)
- Round 6, Pick 201 (via BUF)
- Round 6, Pick 205 (via NO)
- Round 6, Pick 205
- Round 7, Pick 219
- Round 7, Pick 244 (via NO)
- Round 7, Pick 249 (compensatory)
- Round 7, Pick 253 (compensatory)
We'll have complete coverage of the Vikings' draft all weekend long.
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