Welcome to the beginning of our 2023 season preview content!
Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at each player on the 90-man 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: Josh Metellus
Rank: 24
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 207 lbs
Experience: 4th year
College: Michigan
Stats (In NFL): 48 games, 3 starts, 60 tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 6 passes defended, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 punts blocked
Votes:
Tyler Forness: 26
Kevin Fielder: 25
Judd Zulgad: 24
Saivion Mixson: 24
Average: 24.75
Best case scenario
Metellus becomes a solid rotational piece on defense while also staying a special teams maven. He blocked punts in consecutive weeks in 2022 and has played over 900 snaps on special teams for the Vikings. During mandatory minicamp, Brian Flores was using Metellus in three safety packages as a rover. That makes a lot of sense considering how weak the Vikings are at inside linebacker.
Worst case scenario
Metellus shows struggles during training camp and gets cut. With the safety room relatively strong, including last year’s first-round pick Lewis Cine and fourth-round pick Jay Ward, Metellus could be on the chopping block. He has talent and versatility to play special teams, but his non-guaranteed contract paired with the investment in the players above him could signal the end of his run on the 53-man roster.
What to expect in 2023
Metellus’ future with the Vikings is going to be one of two routes: a heavy usage player across multiple units or they cut him from the active roster. His future will be determined mostly by the performance of those ahead of him. If Cine and Ward shine, Metellus is going to become more expendable. If they don’t, Metellus is going to be a major player on multiple units.
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
29-Andrew DePaola
28-Ed Ingram
27-Lewis Cine
26-Garrett Bradbury
25-C.J. Ham
