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: Luiji Vilain
Rank: 54
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 252 lbs
Experience: 2 years
College: Wake Forest
Stats (In NFL): 3 games, 4 tackles
Votes:
Tyler Forness: 54
Kevin Fielder: 54
Judd Zulgad: 55
Saivion Mixson: 54
Average: 54.25
Best case scenario
Vilain was the only player that made the Vikings as a UDFA in 2022. He has the athletic profile that the front office likes with a lot of athleticism. In year one, Vilain only suited up three times, but 2022 was meant to be a learning year for him. Going into 2023, there is opportunity for him to shine with Za’Darius Smith now in Cleveland and D.J. Wonnum on the final year of his contract. Showing out in training camp could get Vilain a rotational role.
Worst case scenario
There is a likely possibility that Vilain gets buried on the depth chart. The Vikings also brought in Andre Carter II as a UDFA with $340k in guaranteed money and Wonnum and Patrick Jones II could easily take away his entire snapshare.
What to expect in 2023
Vilain right now is on the roster bubble. There is depth at the position right now and Vilain will have to prove that he deserves to keep his roster spot. Expect Vilain to be on the Vikings roster in some way, whether the 53-man roster or the practice squad.
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
