5 Minnesota Vikings who could be shocking cuts in 2023

Player No. 1

Esezi Otomewo - DE

Esezi Otomewo was the first-ever and, so far, only Minnesota Golden Gopher drafted by Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. As a fifth-round rookie, Otomewo was a bit slow to get on the field, not seeing much action until the final quarter of the 2022 season.

He didn't do a whole lot in that span, racking up just five tackles in five games. While those numbers don't stick out, Otomewo did manage to make one of those tackles behind the line of scrimmage, so that is encouraging.

Despite the scant playing time as a rookie, most assume Otomewo will make the team for a second go-around with the club in 2023. He was picked by this regime, and the competition he has to beat out isn't exactly overwhelming.

So it's safe to say that if Otomewo were beaten out for a spot on the Vikings' roster by the likes of James Lynch, Ross Blacklock, or Jonathan Bullard, it would be a surprise.

Those players have all proven to be average at best, and they all lack any ounce of upside. Otomewo has plenty of that still, which should give him the upper hand.