5 Vikings who won't be on the final 53-man roster in 2023

Player No. 2

Ross Blacklock - DT

Ross Blacklock is another former early draft pick that the Vikings acquired just before the start of the 2022 season. He was a second-round pick of the Houston Texans back in 2020 but hasn't really done much so far in his career in the NFL. He has just 38 career tackles and three sacks in three seasons. Two of those tackles he made with the Vikings last season. He appeared in just 11 games playing a paltry 139 snaps.

It'll be interesting to see what the Vikings decide to do with their defensive line this preseason. Harrison Philips, Dean Lowry, and Khyiris Tonga are the only surefire locks to make the roster. Fifth-round rookie Jaquelin Roy is another safe bet, but after that, things are very murky.

Blacklock will be battling with Esezi Otomewo, Jonathan Bullard, James Lynch, and even undrafted rookie Calvin Avery for a spot on the roster.

The Vikings only kept six defensive linemen a season ago, so that means just two spots are up for grabs. Blacklock is only 24-years-old, but the fact he hasn't done much so far in his career could be enough for the Vikings to go with another young option that they feel provides more upside.