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Vikings roster countdown: No. 78 Jaquelin Roy — intriguing rookie DT

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Vikings
By Will Ragatz | Last updated 7/18/23

Ahead of the Vikings' 2023 training camp beginning in late July, we'll be taking a look at every player on the 90-man roster, counting down from 99 to 0 (excluding the UDFAs, who we've already profiled). For every player, we'll look at the best and worst-case scenarios and their realistic outlook for the upcoming season.

No. 78: Jaquelin Roy, DT

Age: 22 | Size: 6'3", 305

The Vikings used a fifth-round selection in this year's draft on Jaquelin Roy, a powerful defensive tackle out of LSU. The rookie may not have a huge role in 2023, but the hope is that he'll develop into a starting-caliber player over the next few seasons. Even though that's always unlikely for a fifth-rounder, Roy's traits are intriguing enough that it feels like an entirely possible outcome.

A Baton Rouge native, Roy stayed home for college and saw his role grow during each of his three seasons at LSU. He recorded four sacks and 13.5 total tackles for loss during his collegiate career. Roy primarily wins with his powerful upper body, but he has some quickness to his game as well.

"He can rush the passer, and obviously you've seen in free agency the past couple years with the contracts of some of those guys in there, it's really hard to chip on the edges, slide one way," GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said after the draft. "Somebody is going to get a one-on-one, and it's typically that guy. To have somebody with some pass rush value from that spot is really helpful."

Best-case scenario: Roy bursts onto the scene in training camp and the preseason, forcing his way into the defensive line rotation as a rookie. By the end of the season, he looks like a key player for 2024 and beyond.

Worst-case scenario: Roy clearly needs a lot of development after starting for just one season in college. He plays sparingly (if at all) during his rookie season and is mostly an unknown heading into next year.

Outlook for 2023: Early expectations for Roy should be kept in check. He's behind Harrison Phillips, Dean Lowry, and Khyiris Tonga on the depth chart at DT, competing with the likes of Jonathan Bullard, James Lynch, and Esezi Otomewo for roster spots. Roy is a lock to at least make the practice squad, and he figures to have a good chance at making the 53 so he can't be poached by another team. Development is needed, but Roy has an intriguing future.

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