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: Olisaemeka Udoh
Rank: 51
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 320 lbs
Experience: 5 years
College: Elon
Stats (In NFL): 41 games, 18 starts
Votes:
Tyler Forness: 50
Kevin Fielder: 52
Judd Zulgad: 51
Saivion Mixson: 51
Average: 51.00
Best case scenario
Udoh is the ultimate sixth offensive lineman. He is a tackle my trade, but the Vikings moved him into guard before the start of the 2021 season. He struggled at times due to his abnormally large size for the position, but that flexibility is huge for a backup offensive lineman. He is also giving the Vikings that experience with a contract that pays him upwards of $2.5 million, but only counts $1.23 million toward the salary cap.
Worst case scenario
With the nature of his contract, Udoh is almost certain to make the team. The worst-case scenario for him would be to be a full-time starter and his issues with speed on the outside get exposed.
What to expect in 2023
Udoh is likely going to be the first lineman off the bench at multiple positions due to his inside-out flexibility. He can play well at multiple spots for a short period of time, but you don’t want him being your full-time starter.
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
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
