Tuesday marked the NFL’s Trade Deadline for the 2023 season and teams are looking to improve with an eye on the playoffs. Though we’re only eight weeks into an 18-game schedule, it’s now or never for teams looking to add talent to their roster, via something other than free agency or waiver claims.
The Minnesota Vikings, who had already been busy acquiring veteran quarterback Joshua Dobbs in a deal with the Arizona Cardinals, struck another deal ahead of the 4 p.m. deadline on Tuesday.
According to multiple reports, the Vikings have sent offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a third-day draft pick.
The #Vikings are trading standout guard Ezra Cleveland to the #Jaguars, per me, @TomPelissero and @MikeGarafolo. One of the better young players at his position, Cleveland moves on to beef up another O-line in exchange for a third-day draft pick. pic.twitter.com/uTItO1ECnE
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 31, 2023
The compensation, according to NFL insider Josina Anderson, will be a sixth-round pick for the standout guard, who will be a key addition to help protect quarterback Trevor Lawrence moving forward.
Compensation: #Vikings are getting a 6th for sending guard Ezra Cleveland to the #Jaguars, per source.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 31, 2023
The Vikings drafted Cleveland in the second round (58th overall pick) of the 2020 NFL Draft. The 25-year-old out of Boise State spent his entire time in Minnesota at guard and after beginning on the right side this season, he’s spent the past six games as the team’s starting left guard.
As for Jacksonville, its starting left guard — Walker Little — was active for this past Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He managed to avoid a season-ending injury after suffering an ailment to his knee and returned to the lineup in Week 8 as the Jaguars saw their offensive line back to full strength.
So while it’s unlikely that Cleveland will crack the starting lineup at this current junction, he provides great depth for a Jaguars team that has taken control of the AFC South and is tied for the best record in the conference.
