The Jacksonville Jaguars made a move at the 2023 NFL trade deadline, sending a sixth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland.
While most expected the Jaguars to target pass rushers if they made a deal Tuesday, the cheap cost to acquire Cleveland had plenty of people applauding general manager Trent Baalke and had some questioning what the Vikings were thinking.
Here are some of the best reactions on social media to the trade when it was reported and announced Tuesday:
At worst, Ezra Cleveland is high quality depth at a spot where the Jags OL has been lacking.
At best, he’s the starting LG and Walker Little goes back to being the 6th OL instead of Shatley.
Only gave up a 6th for him so this is a win
— JP Acosta (Pug Dederson Stan Acct) (@acosta32_jp) October 31, 2023
For context on this deal: Ezra Cleveland is an impending free agent. Dalton Risner has stepped in during these last two weeks and performed admirably against good fronts, especially against the pass. MIN also likes Blake Brandel as backup. A way to recoup draft capital. https://t.co/xewBbVS6t1
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) October 31, 2023
Ezra Cleveland is a 25-year-old guard who instantly would’ve been the #Jets best healthy OL.
He’s a long-term piece and at worst an average starting guard (probably better).
And it only took a 6th round pick to get him.
Yeah that’s a big miss for Joe Douglas IMO.
— The Jet Press (@TheJetPress) October 31, 2023
The Ezra Cleveland trade is probably a good one for both sides. Vikings were not keeping him and probably not in a great spot to get a comp pick
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) October 31, 2023
Hi #Jaguars fans!! Ezra is a #LookForWork maven, has come into his own as a guard, and his main problem is consistency. He's good for like 1 or 2 meltdown games a year and is reliable for the rest of it. And the meltdown games have been getting less frequent, steadily, all 4 yrs https://t.co/lQlPaBGRiV
— Luke Braun (@LukeBraunNFL) October 31, 2023
feels like Jags are taking every step possible to have OL insurance because they think they can win the AFC. don’t mind it https://t.co/bFtQJaENJI
— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) October 31, 2023
Analysis from my Vikings fan brother pic.twitter.com/acbJKlydOc
— Stevie (@IrishJaguar) October 31, 2023
Sold! https://t.co/uc1JtKRL60
— Rev. Eric Dunn (@ericvdunn) October 31, 2023
Protection for Trevor- so Trevor can START THROWING BOMBS DOWNFIELD TO CALVIN 😬 https://t.co/ymkfn8O8wY
— Trevorville_👑 (@trevorville_) October 31, 2023
Baalke basically traded Laviska Shenault for Ezra Cleveland and Cooper Hodges.
Masterclass Man is back at it again. https://t.co/cFNZgcYCE4
— Кevin (@KevinFromDuval) October 31, 2023
Half year rental but a fleece still imo https://t.co/NEPeKHkvTI
— Shawn (@trilwil92) October 31, 2023
LET BAALKE COOK https://t.co/HMMqKVsEUV
— Kendra Middleton (@KenniMiddleton) October 31, 2023
what if you were told a week ago that one of these players would end up a Jaguar at the deadline pic.twitter.com/HVkMYKblBm
— John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) October 31, 2023
A day 3 pick for a top 15 guard man the Vikings are cooked 😭
— evin (@KayvonOjulari) October 31, 2023
Ezra Cleveland a big, strong, and young offensive Guard joining the Jaguars OLine. Nice upgrade.
— Tom McManus (@meathead55) October 31, 2023
My thoughts on the Ezra Cleveland move: pic.twitter.com/uPK44FGwBj
— Casey Zeiders (@thezeiders) October 31, 2023
Hello. Dobbs trade is not what I thought the Vikes would do, but man what a great deal.
Ezra is worth more than a 6, but if he wants to play T he wasn’t re-signing here, so something is better than nothing. Sucks for depth, though. #skol
— Ted Glover (@purplebuckeye) October 31, 2023
Sweet mother of God👀👀
I LOVE THIS PICKUP!! https://t.co/AF5mlvCxsj pic.twitter.com/Gqst4Tcmhq
— J-Villains Podcast (@JVillainsPod) October 31, 2023
BOOM
— Big Cat Country (@BigCatCountry) October 31, 2023
Baalke said we keeping 16 upright from here on out. https://t.co/2Ha5OcrGBT
— Dilla (@E_Dilla) October 31, 2023