The Vikings fixed an issue on the offensive line by drafting a tackle in the second round.
The Vikings drafted Boise State tackle Ezra Cleveland with the 58th overall pick in the NFL Draft. The choice is a good one, considering that while the position group has improved, it struggled to not give up pressure in the passing game.
Cleveland is listed at 6-6, 310 pounds and is considered a good run blocker. This will help him with the Vikings, a team that doesn’t mind running the ball.
Running back Dalvin Cook is coming off a 2019 season where he had 1,135 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, both of which were career highs.
Minnesota has a new offensive coordinator this season: Gary Kubiak. Former offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski left to become head coach of the Browns this offseason. Kubiak took his place after being an offensive advisor for Minnesota in 2019.
Despite a new coordinator, expect a Minnesota team that loves to run the ball and help quarterback Kirk Cousins make plays in rollouts and play-action passes. I’m sure Cleveland will fit right in at tackle, and current left tackle Riley Reiff could move over to guard.
A concern here is that maybe the Vikings should have drafted a tackle sooner, waiting to take a wide receiver in what is a deep class for that position. Also, Houston tackle Josh Jones was still available, who might have a higher ceiling than Cleveland.
Still a good pick, though.
Grade: B+
