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: Alan Ali
Rank: 72
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 301 lbs
Experience: Rookie
College: TCU
Stats (at SMU and TCU): 58 games, 4,079 snaps
Votes:
Tyler Forness: 72
Kevin Fielder: 72
Judd Zulgad: 71
Saivion Mixson: 71
Average: 71.50
Best case scenario
Ali’s versatility and experience could end up with him on the roster with a good training camp. He has 4,079 total snaps with most of them at center and some at guard from his freshman season at SMU in 2018. Flexibility is huge with backup offensive lineman and his experience in big games will give him a leg up over an average UDFA.
Worst case scenario
Ali comes in and struggles on the interior with leverage. At 6’4″ tall, that can be a struggle if smaller defensive lineman can get their hands underneath his shoulder pads and drive him back. There are athletic limitations as well with Ali, which is why he ended up going undrafted.
What to expect in 2023
Expect Ali to be a Minnesota Viking in one way, shape or form either on the 53-man roster or the practice squad. Having a center that can also play guard as a backup is a valuable asset to have. The experience that he has will be invaluable in helping his growth and give the Vikings another nice depth piece on the interior. Ali shouldn’t play any real snaps in 2023, but he could be a valuable piece to the offensive line over the next few years for the Vikings.
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
