2024 NFL Free Agency: Cardinals, Commanders Listed as Potential Landing Spots For Ezra Cleveland

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a lot of questions along their offensive line entering 2024. 

Many of the questions posted externally center around left tackle Cam Robinson. But a potentially bigger question mark could focus on impending free agent left guard Ezra Cleveland. 

The Jaguars traded for Cleveland at last year's trade deadline, dealing a 2024 sixth-round pick for the former Minnesota Vikings guard. Cleveland went on to play in nine games for the Jaguars, starting four at left guard and one at left tackle. 

“I think you have to look at that. I think you have to look at long-term as well. The age of our offensive linemen, Brandon Scherff, as great as he’s been playing, he’s not getting any younger.  Tyler Shatley isn’t getting any younger," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said after the Jaguars traded for Cleveland. 

"You’ve got to have guys that are very capable that are going to be on your roster. You definitely have to look at long-term I think in situations like this. Definitely the player himself, Ezra himself knows he’s in a basically a contract-year as well, so he’s willing to come to Jacksonville and be a backup for now understanding that there are no guarantees in this business. But I do think it definitely could turn into a long-term situation for him where he could definitely compete and be in a position to help us move forward.”

But while the Jaguars are clearly interested in getting more out of their investment in Cleveland, there are a few other potential landing spots out there for the former second-round pick.

Two such spots that could make sense, according to Pro Football Focus, are the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Commanders.

"The Minnesota Vikings traded Cleveland to the Jacksonville Jaguars at this past year’s deadline. The Jaguars may have viewed that as a longer-term move, but they gave up only Day 3 draft capital to fix an extremely porous offensive line that was putting Trevor Lawrence under siege every week. Left guard was the clear weak spot for Arizona this past season, with longtime swing guard Elijah Wilkinson struggling throughout the season. Here, Cleveland goes to a Cardinals offense led by Drew Petzing, who left Minnesota right before he arrived in 2020," Pro Football Focus said.

"The Commanders need a left guard and should look to bolster an offensive line that likely will be protecting a rookie No. 2 overall pick quarterback. Kliff Kingsbury’s Air Raid attack features a lot of quick outs paired with zone-based RPOs that can get Cleveland in space, where he operates at his best."