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: Blake Brandel
Rank: 40
Height: 6’7″
Weight: 315 lbs
Experience: 3rd year
College: Oregon State
Stats (In NFL): 22 games, 9 starts
Votes:
Tyler Forness: 38
Kevin Fielder: 41
Judd Zulgad: 49
Saivion Mixson: 40
Average: 39.5
Best case scenario
Blake Brandel has found himself as a reliable but not spectacular backup offensive tackle. In an era of the NFL where injuries are becoming more prevalent, that’s a strength for Brandel. Starting in three games last season, Brandel impressed in pass blocking but needed to be protected against top pass rushers.
Worst case scenario
Unless Brandel can become more consistent against some of the league’s best pass rushers, he’ll be limited to a rotational role. In a vacuum, that’s manageable, but it also limits his potential of seeing an expanded role on the offense.
What to expect in 2023
The good news for Brandel is that the Vikings likely aren’t moving on from him in 2023. The Vikings didn’t add many pieces to their offensive line during the off-season, limiting those moves to undrafted free agents.
Brandel will likely start the season as the team’s backup offensive tackle, where he’ll serve as a starter in case of injury.
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
