Despite having two incumbent starters at tackle, the Vikings drafted another player at that position in the second round: Ezra Cleveland.
Cleveland, if he makes big strides early, could come in and still improve the offensive line. That improvement, though, is contingent upon either Cleveland learning to play on the interior offensive line, or another player switching positions
A player who could switch around is Riley Reiff. The Vikings left tackle was listed among players who could possibly change positions in 2020 on a list compiled by Bleacher Report.
Here’s what the outlet said about the possible move:
“Reiff remains at least an average left tackle, but his play slipped in 2019—he gave up five sacks, committed eight penalties and struggled in pass protection against quicker edge-rushers. The offseason dawned with more than a little speculation about Reiff’s future in the Twin Cities, and Minnesota added a tackle in Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland in the second round of the 2020 draft.
Kicking Reiff inside is a move that makes sense more for the team than the player, and it comes with the caveat that Cleveland would need to be a quick study.”
If Cleveland is a quick study, I could see the Minnesota offensive line getting better in 2020, especially because of Cleveland’s fit in a zone blocking scheme.
