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: Mekhi Blackmon
Rank: 39
Height: 5-11
Weight: 178 lbs
Experience: Rookie
College: USC
Stats (at Colorado and USC): 66 total tackles, 13 passes defended, 3 interceptions
Votes:
Tyler Forness: 44
Kevin Fielder: 35
Judd Zulgad: 35
Saivion Mixson: 39
Average: 38.25
Best case scenario
Drafting him in the third round, the Minnesota Vikings see something in Mekhi Blackmon. Despite being slightly undersized, Blackmon is a physical cornerback who’s not afraid to get into the face of opposing wide receivers and create havoc. If those things carry over into the NFL, Blackmon could become a reliable starter in a short time.
Worst case scenario
The problem with Blackmon’s aggression is that it’s not always properly channeled. Blackmon’s feistiness could make him a target for illegal contact penalties in the NFL, which could see him come off the field more often than not. While Blackmon isn’t necessarily short, his sub-6-feet frame will limit his effectiveness as an outside cornerback against bigger receivers, which could relegate him to becoming a slot cornerback in the NFL.
What to expect in 2023
Mekhi Blackmon is in a position to battle for one of the team’s starting cornerback spots, which could be a massive boost to his development. Even if Blackmon isn’t a week 1 starter, there’s an expectation that the Vikings will find ways to get Blackmon on the field. While this is a developmental year for Blackmon, getting significant playing time would be a positive for him and the team.
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
