What the Vikings can expect from Ezra Cleveland in 2020
By Adam Carlson
The bad
Not everything is perfect when it comes to Ezra Cleveland. There is a reason he was available when the Minnesota Vikings were on the clock in the second round. Here are some of the traits that are not ideal about the offensive lineman:
Power
Despite having great size, Cleveland could use some time to get stronger to prepare for when he faces NFL competition. Adding some more functional strength would allow him to push around defenders and open more holes in the run game while stopping pass rushers.
Lack of competition
Boise State didn’t face off against some of the elite pass rushers in the NCAA, meaning Cleveland may not have really been tested too much against high-level pass rushers. This does raise questions about how he will perform against professional athletes.
Play finishing
While much of his technique is sound, there needs to be a bit more aggression in his blocks. It would be nice to see Cleveland finish more blocks with an “oomph” and make a statement, especially when run blocking.