LA Chargers: Full BoltBeat Roundtable 2020 mock draft

With the 37th pick, Brandon Viera selects:

“After the LA Chargers got their quarterback of the future in the first round, I decided to select the guy whose main job will be protecting him. That would be Ezra Cleveland, a 6’6”, 311-pound left tackle from Boise State University.

While Cleveland may not be one of the top five tackles in this draft class, he certainly has first-round potential and grabbing him in the early second should be a no-brainer. Cleveland certainly possesses the athletic capabilities to be a very good tackle at the next level.

If you’re looking for highlight-reel style pancake blocks then you may be looking at the wrong guy. However, if you’re looking for someone who can stop a pass rusher in their tracks or even run downfield in keeping up with opposing linebackers, then Ezra Cleveland is without a doubt the player you want on your offensive line.

At the 2020 NFL Combine, Ezra Cleveland posted a 4.93 40 yard dash, a 7.26 three-cone, a 4.46 20 yard shuttle, and 30 reps on the bench press. Those ranked third, first, first, and fifth respectively amongst all other offensive linemen. Saying that Cleveland is far and above the other offensive linemen in terms of pure athleticism is no stretch by any means, and that makes for an extremely high ceiling.

Cleveland may leave a bit to be desired when it comes to in-game strength, but that is something new offensive line coach James Campen can most certainly help improve on once training camp kicks off and the two finally get to work together. Learning from the Chargers’ newly acquired linemen Trai Turner and Bryan Bulaga will be a big plus as well.

Trey Pipkins may be the week one starter, but Ezra Cleveland could certainly be the Chargers’ left tackle of the future, protecting Love for the next decade.”