Vikings Roster Countdown: No. 72 Ezra Cleveland — Starting LG in Contract Year

It would be big for the Vikings if Cleveland takes a step forward in pass protection this year.

Author:
Will Ragatz
Publish date:
Jul 20, 2023 6:02 PM EDT

In this story:

Ahead of the Vikings' 2023 training camp beginning in late July, we'll be taking a look at every player on the 90-man roster, counting down from 99 to 0 (excluding the UDFAs, who we've already profiled). For every player, we'll look at the best and worst-case scenarios and their realistic outlook for the upcoming season.

No. 72: Ezra Cleveland, LG

Age: 25 | Size: 6'6", 312

Sep 19, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Ezra Cleveland (72) blocks Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (97) at Lincoln Financial Field. — Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Late in his tenure, former Vikings GM Rick Spielman put a huge emphasis on drafting ultra-athletic offensive lineman for the team's zone blocking scheme. There was Brian O'Neill in 2018, Garrett Bradbury in 2019, and then Ezra Cleveland in 2020 (and Christian Darrisaw the following year). An intriguing tackle prospect at Boise State, Cleveland was moved to guard with the Vikings and the results have been somewhat mixed during his three seasons.

As a rookie, Cleveland started nine games at right guard. Since then, he's been the full-time starter at left guard, playing all 35 games (including playoffs) over the past two seasons. Largely due to his elite athleticism (9.98 RAS as a guard), Cleveland has been a dynamic run blocker from Day 1 and has only gotten better in that area over time. Last season, his 80.3 PFF run blocking grade ranked fourth out of 79 guards who played at least 300 snaps.

Pass protection has been another story. Cleveland has had a pass blocking grade between 52 and 56 in each of his three seasons (60 is average). His 2022 pass blocking grade was 59th in that 79-guard sample and he trailed only two guards — one of whom is his teammate Ed Ingram — in total pressures allowed with 53. Cleveland was charged with allowing ten pressures against the Commanders, seven against the Eagles, and five against the Colts.

2023 is the final year of his rookie contract.

Best-case scenario: Cleveland takes a year four pass-protection leap, much like his teammate Bradbury did last season. Combing elite run blocking with above-average pass pro, he emerges as an excellent left guard and signs a new multi-year deal with the Vikings next offseason.

Worst-case scenario: Cleveland's run blocking grade regresses slightly and his pass blocking remains stagnant and problematic. The Vikings let him walk in free agency in the spring.

Outlook for 2023: There's no question that Cleveland is the Vikings' starting left guard this season. What remains to be determined is whether or not he'll retain that role in 2024. It'll all come down to how well he can hold up in pass protection against big defensive tackles this year.

Previous Vikings player profiles