The Minnesota Vikings are firmly entrenched in OTAs and are progressing toward training camp at TCO Performance Center. This will be the third season under head coach Kevin O'Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah while also being a turning point in the future of the organization.
To prepare for the pivotal 2024 season, we will break down each player on the 90-man roster leading up to training camp. In this series, we will look into their background, scheme fit, best and worst case scenario along with what to expect from each player. It will also help gain more insight on each player going into the year, especially with players who haven't gotten much fanfare.
Will K.J. Cloyd find a way to make the 53-man roster?
Background
While playing football in high school, Cloyd nearly had his arm amputated after severing nerves in his arm during an Oklahoma drill. He missed all of his sophomore season and four games of his junior year before returning to the field. Cloyd ended up playing five seasons in college with his first being at Jones Community College. He then became a three-star recruit and played in three seasons at Louisville before playing his final season at Miami FL. In his four seasons at the collegiate level, Cloyd tallied just 82 total tackles with 7.0 of them for loss. He signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent.
Scheme fit
At 6'2" and 228 lbs, Cloyd will fit best as an inside linebacker in Brian Flores' scheme. He will use his size and athleticism to attack downhill.
Best case scenario
With the linebacker room in flux after the top two, Cloyd bursts onto the scene once the pads come on in training camp. He thrives in all phases, including special teams by using his athleticism to make plays all over the field.
Worst case scenario
As an undrafted free agent, Cloyd doesn't get many opportunities to show what he can do on defense and is relegated to special teams. Without a lot of opportunities, Cloyd gets lost in the shuffle and fails to make an impact.
What to expect in 2024
Linebacker is fascinating for many reasons. With the new kickoff rule, nobody really knows how teams will be constructing the back end of their rosters. Will they be focusing on players who can run and chase or more linemen for blockers and space eaters?
Cloyd has a great story and seeing those succeed is always great. However, stories don't make teams. Cloyd is going to have an uphill battle as the likely last linebacker on the depth chart. Making the 53-man roster is a near certainty to not happen, but the practice squad is plausible.
Previous player profiles
Devron Harper | Ty James | Trey Knox | Gabriel Murphy | Dwight McGlothern | Dallas Gant | Doug Nester | Jeshaun Jones | Taki Taimani | Jeremy Flax | Spencer Rolland | Tyler Manoa | Bo Richter | Jaren Hall | Lucky Jackson
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