5 things the Vikings 2020 training camp has taught us so far
By Dustin Baker
Cleveland will be groomed and won’t start right away
Minnesota spent a second-round pick on Ezra Cleveland from Boise State a few months ago in the 2020 NFL draft.
Cleveland is an offensive tackle by trade and he was selected by the Vikings to eventually start at the left tackle spot. For now though, Minnesota has Riley Reiff plugged in as their starting left tackle.
Reiff is paid handsomely as he will make the fourth-highest amount of money on the Vikings in 2020 behind safety Anthony Harris, defensive end Danielle Hunter, and quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Early whispers are that Cleveland will not be part of the team’s starting offensive line corps for Minnesota’s Week 1 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. This is not overly stunning, but there was some hope that the rookie would be a Day 1 starter.
Unless multiple Twin Cities reporters are blatantly incorrect, Reiff will retain his starting gig, and either Dakota Dozier or Aviante Collins will line up next to him as the Vikings’ starting left guard.
This should not be construed as an indictment of Cleveland’s ability or future outlook. Instead, the training camp breadcrumbs only forecast that the young offensive lineman will not start immediately.
Depending on the performance of players like Reiff, Dozier, Collins, and center-turned-guard Pat Elflein, Cleveland could still see some substantial playing time in 2020 down the line.