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: Ryan Wright
Rank: 36
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 245 lbs
Experience: 2nd year
College: Tulane
Stats (In NFL): 17 games, 73 punts, 47.7 yards per punt, 42.3 net yards per punt, 73 yard long, 1 touchback, 32 inside the 20, 1 blocked
Votes:
Tyler Forness: 34
Kevin Fielder: 34
Judd Zulgad: 36
Saivion Mixson: 36
Average: 35.75
Best case scenario
Winning the job as a rookie was an impressive feat for the UDFA from Tulane. A former high school quarterback, the Vikings used Wright on fake punts with varied success in 2022. What was really impressive were his average punt (47.7 yards) and net average (42.3 yards). Those can carry over from year to year and having a season like that to follow up on his rookie campaign would be a huge benefit to the Vikings.
Worst case scenario
Specialists can struggle from year to year, especially on something like touchbacks. Wright only had one touchback on 73 punts, which is a shockingly great stat. That will see some regression this year, which could be one of many things to hinder growth in 2023.
Punting also is situational. You don’t always get a chance to boom long kicks and have to try and do sky high kicks from around your own 40. Situation matters a lot when trying to project forward.
What to expect in 2023
Having a stalwart at punter is a really nice addition to the Vikings roster, especially when you have one as consistent as Wright was in 2022. The element of the fake punt likely isn’t going away either, as that element will be utilized moving forward, especially with some more practice.
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
