Vikings News: Minnesota trades starting guard to the Jaguars

The Minnesota Vikings reportedly acquired a Day 3 draft pick from the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday in exchange for veteran guard Ezra Cleveland.

Shortly after making a trade with the Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday to acquire quarterback Josh Dobbs, the Minnesota Vikings made another deadline day deal when they decided to send veteran offensive guard Ezra Cleveland to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In exchange for Cleveland, the Vikings are reportedly receiving a sixth-round draft pick from the Jaguars, according to the Star Tribune's Ben Goessling.

Cleveland hasn't been on the field since sustaining a foot injury a few weeks ago. Dalton Risner has been starting in place of him at left guard for Minnesota, and now, it seems like the team will be sticking with Risner in the starting lineup.

Vikings News: Minnesota trading Ezra Cleveland should not come as a surprise

Since the Vikings selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Cleveland was able to develop into a solid interior offensive lineman for the team.

Before suffering his foot injury earlier this season, Cleveland had done well enough to earn the eighth-best offensive grade from PFF among qualifying offensive guards.

But since he's scheduled to become a free agent in 2024 and Risner has been playing well in his absence, Minnesota clearly felt comfortable enough to part with the veteran blocker on Tuesday.