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: Ross Blacklock
Rank: 60
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 290 lbs
Experience: 4 years
College: TCU
Stats (in 2022): 40 games, 38 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 9 quarterback hits, 3 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble
Votes:
Tyler Forness: 59
Kevin Fielder: 60
Judd Zulgad: 60
Saivion Mixson: 60
Average: 59.75
Best case scenario
Blacklock is a smaller, gap-shooting defensive lineman that hasn’t gotten a lot of traction during his career. Working with Brian Flores, who loves having players with a specialty, could help Blacklock finally unlock the pass rushing acumen he entered the league with. On a defensive line without a lot of quick penetrators, Blacklock could carve out a role on this defense.
Worst case scenario
Blacklock came into the Vikings last season and struggled mightily. He was so poor that he didn’t suit up after week 12. He was getting washed out consistently and didn’t generate a lot of pressure (9.4% pressure rate). He is mainly a pass rush specialist that struggles against the run, something that will limit his overall effectiveness.
What to expect in 2023
There isn’t a lot of hope for Blacklock’s long-term future. He struggled once the Vikings acquired him after final cuts last year, but how much of that is solely on Blacklock versus the disaster of a defensive coordinator Ed Donatell was last year? With the addition of Flores, he could make the roster. The likely scenario is Blacklock doesn’t make the team, but the raw talent is evident.
Previous player profile
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
