3 unsung heroes from the Vikings Week 10 win over Buffalo

Ezra Cleveland – LG

The Vikings’ offensive line hasn’t been the most stellar group this season, but the improvements from years prior are very apparent.

Offensive tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill have been studs, just as everyone expected, but up the middle is where there were concerns going into this year.

Rookie right guard Ed Ingram has been disappointing, but it’s too early to give up on a player who was thrust into the starting position at the very beginning of their career. Center Garrett Bradburry has actually held his own this season after struggling heavily to begin his career. The new Minnesota regime trusted him this year by not drafting or signing a replacement during the offseason, and he has backed up their confidence in him so far.

That leaves left guard Ezra Cleveland, the third-year man from Boise State. Cleveland has been solid every season he’s played, but this year he is really seeming to take a step forward, albeit under the radar.

Cleveland’s underrated season continued this past weekend, as he actually had the second-highest PFF grade for the Vikings on offense, only being outdone by a superstar performance from Justin Jefferson.

Cleveland was tasked with going up against one of the better defensive lines in the NFL, and after an abysmal showing against the Washington Commanders in Week 9, he was a concern going into the game in Buffalo.

However, Cleveland held his own against the Bills. He did allow one sack, but that does not solely fall on his shoulders, as Bradburry missed a chance to help create a double team. Regardless, it was a great bounce-back game for Cleveland, who is having a solid junior year in the NFL.

The left side of the line with Darrisaw and Cleveland is slowly starting to look like one of the strongest parts of the Vikings’ roster, and as the duo continues to work together and improve, they will only become more of a wall.