Welcome to the beginning of our 2023 season preview content!
Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at each player on the 90-man 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: C.J. Ham
Rank: 25
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 250 lbs
Experience: 2nd year
College: Augustana
Stats (In NFL): 96 games, 33 starts, 36 rushes, 97 yards, 3 touchdowns, 70 receptions, 610 yards, 2 touchdowns
Votes:
Tyler Forness: 27
Kevin Fielder: 21
Judd Zulgad: 26
Saivion Mixson: 26
Average: 25.00
Best case scenario
The projected shift back to more 12 personnel will likely afford Ham more playing time than he got in 2022. Last season, Ham played 182 snaps last season, his lowest total since 139 snaps in 2018 under offense coordinator John DiFillipo. He has been a solid fullback in all aspects, including catching the ball out of the backfield.
Worst case scenario
Ham isn’t as effective at the age of 30 and/or the Vikings shift to more 11 personnel as the season wears on. Ham’s skill set as a fullback isn’t likely to deteriorate at an exponential rate, but a shift to more 11 personnel like last season is the more likely outcome.
What to expect in 2023
I don’t think you are going to be getting the Ham of 2021 where he was being targeted 10+ yards down the field, but he is a stalwart player that will help the Vikings’ running backs find the hole and get rushing yards in chunks as a lead blocker. He will likely be on the team for the 2023 and 2024 seasons wit his extension and that should work out nicely for the Vikings.
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
39-Mekhi Blackmon
38-Chris Reed
37-Joejuan Williams
36-Ryan Wright
35-Esezi Otomewo
34-Jalen Nailor
33-Ty Chandler
32-Jonathan Bullard
31-D.J. Wonnum
30-Patrick Jones II
29-Andrew DePaola
28-Ed Ingram
27-Lewis Cine
26-Garrett Bradbury
