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: Najee Thompson
Rank: 87
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 205
Experience: Rookie
College: Georgia Southern
Stats (At Georgia Southern): 60 games, 85 total tackles (70 solo), 2 TFL, 2 INT, 14 passes defended, 1 FF’
Votes:
Tyler Forness: 87
Kevin Fielder: 82
Judd Zulgad: 87
Saivion Mixson: 87
Average: 85.75
Best case scenario
It’s not hard to see Najee Thompson’s pathway to the 53-man roster. A standout special teamer at Georgia Southern, Thompson emerged as one of the better pure special teamers in the 2023 NFL Draft and drew interest from multiple teams. While the Minnesota Vikings have their fair share of special teams standouts, including safety Josh Metellus, they’ll still look to add a few more through various means. That opportunity could see Thompson, who played special teams throughout his career, find his way onto the active roster.
From there, it’s up to Thompson to continue developing as a cornerback and give the Vikings a reason to keep him on the roster as a developmental bottom-of-the-roster cornerback.
Worst case scenario
As we just mentioned, Thompson is relatively raw as a cornerback. Thompson began his career as a wide receiver but transitioned over to defense after not being able to make as many plays on offense. As a result, Thompson has played just two seasons as a defender, including a career-high 557 snaps on defense last season.
The Vikings could overlook his inexperience because of his strong ability on special teams, but that would only be a reality if the Vikings choose to keep six cornerbacks on the 53-man. If they keep any less, Thompson could be the odd one out for someone who offers a slightly higher floor as a cornerback.
What to expect in 2023
The Vikings added three cornerbacks during the off-season, including rookie Mekhi Blackmon and free agent Byron Murphy. Those two feel like locks for the Vikings’ active roster, leaving only a few slots available for other players to make the roster. As a result, Thompson faces an uphill climb to make the Vikings roster.
If he does make the roster, expect Thompson to play a significant amount of special teams snaps. Special teams is Thompson’s forte, and NFL teams will always find ways to utilize players willing to do the dirty work.
