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: Kalon Barnes
Rank: 67
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 186 lbs
Experience: 2nd year
College: Baylor
Stats (in NFL): 2 games
Votes:
Tyler Forness: 67
Kevin Fielder: 66
Judd Zulgad: 68
Saivion Mixson: 66
Average: 66.75
Best case scenario
Speed kills in off-man coverage when you play with good instincts. Barnes has that ability to be successful. His biggest issues are that he relies too much on his incredible 4.23 40-yard dash speed. When you bring in a guy like Brian Flores, he can teach him how to play smarter football and utilize technique more than his athletic gifts.
Worst case scenario
Speed isn’t everything. Those that have incredible athletic gifts can struggle pairing it with technique because they have a what is viewed as a trump card. Barnes played in two games with the Vikings last season amidst their injury issues at cornerback, but they still made a lot of investments in the draft and free agency at the position.
What to expect in 2023
Barnes has a chance to make the back end of the roster due to his speed and ability on special teams. There is something there for Barnes in terms of potential as a cornerback, but can that be developed by Flores? Practice squad with the Vikings likely elevating him throughout the season to play a game here and there is the likely path.
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
