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: Andrew DePaola
Rank: 29
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 229 lbs
Experience: 9th year
College: Rutgers
Stats (In NFL): 106 games, 2022 All-Pro, 2022 Pro Bowl
Votes:
Tyler Forness: 11
Kevin Fielder: 30
Judd Zulgad: 45
Saivion Mixson: 29
Average: 28.75
Best case scenario
DePaola maintains his 2022 form. As a long snapper, it’s about consistency. He was nothing but consistent for the Vikings and was rewarded with postseason honors and the most-ever guaranteed money for a long snapper in NFL history. Long snapper might not be the most important position, but you can certainly lose a game because of a botched snap. Ask the New York Giants.
Worst case scenario
DePaola regresses and makes a lot of mistakes. Special teams is more about mental stability and fortitude than it is about being incredibly skilled. Staying mentally strong and being consistent. After getting a record-setting contract for the position, handling the pressure of that will be key to preventing a major regression.
What to expect in 2023
DePaola has been a stalwart player for the Vikings since joining the team in 2020. While he might not be an all-pro like he was in 2022, the expectations should be that he’s at worst a solid player. Solid is what you need from your specialists and he can do just that.
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
53-Austin Schlottmann
52-Troy Dye
51-Olisaemeka Udoh
50-Nick Mullens
49-Kene Nwangwu
48-DeWayne McBride
47-Jaquelin Roy
46-Jay Ward
45-Brandon Powell
44-Troy Reeder
43-James Lynch
42-Greg Joseph
41-Johnny Mundt
40-Blake Brandel
39-Mekhi Blackmon
38-Chris Reed
37-Joejuan Williams
36-Ryan Wright
35-Esezi Otomewo
34-Jalen Nailor
33-Ty Chandler
32-Jonathan Bullard
31-D.J. Wonnum
30-Patrick Jones II
