Welcome to the beginning of our 2023 season preview content!
Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at each player on the roster in-depth with backgrounds and how they currently project forward on the Minnesota Vikings roster.
What is the best-case scenario? What is the worst-case scenario? What should we expect from them during the preseason and beyond? We will break all of that down here.
As a staff, all of us at Vikings Wire ranked the entire 90-man roster 1-90 and will be releasing player profiles in reverse order.
Background
Name: Austin Schlottmann
Rank: 53
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 300 lbs
Experience: 6 years
College: TCU
Stats (In NFL): 58 games, 11 starts
Votes:
Tyler Forness: 51
Kevin Fielder: 51
Judd Zulgad: 54
Saivion Mixson: 53
Average: 52.25
Best case scenario
When Schlottmann took over for Garrett Bradbury, he was just as you wanted from a backup center: replacement level. When the Vikings signed him to another one-year contract, that was the expectation again. He likely won’t play much at all, but being replacement level is exactly what you want from your backup.
Worst case scenario
The broken ankle he suffered against the Green Bay Packers ends up hindering him long-term. As we are seeing currently with Lewis Cine, a broken ankle can be a major hindrance to your football future. Plus, there is a lot of competition at the position with Chris Reed and Alan Ali.
What to expect in 2023
Schlottmann needs to have a solid camp to prove that the broken leg isn’t going to be a hindrance for him. If it’s not, he will then have to beat out Reed (who has $800k guaranteed) and Ali, who has a lot of experience. One thing working against Schlottmann is that both players have guard flexibility and that will work against him earning a roster spot.
Previous player profiles
90-Garett Maag
89-Jack Podlesny
88-Zach Ojile
87-NaJee Thompson
86-Thayer Thomas
85-Sam Schluter
84-Jaelyn Williams
83-Jacky Chen
82-Cephus Johnson III
81-C.J. Coldon Jr.
80-Junior Aho
79-Malik Knowles
78-Abraham Beauplan
77-Wilson Huber
76-Lucky Jackson
75-Andre Carter II
74-Curtis Weaver
73-T.J. Smith
72-Alan Ali
71-Josh Sokol
70-Blake Proehl
69-John Reid
68-Trishton Jackson
67-Kalon Barnes
66-Benton Whitley
65-Calvin Avery
64-Theo Jackson
63-William Kwenkeu
62-Sheldon Day
61-Tay Gowan
60-Ross Blacklock
59-Vederian Lowe
58-Jaren Hall
57-Nick Muse
56-Ivan Pace, Jr
55-Jalen Reagor
54-Luiji Vilain
