The Road to 53: DT Jaquelin Roy Has an Unreal Motor
Josh Frey
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The Minnesota Vikings had their rookies report to training camp on Sunday, July 23rd. Minnesota’s veterans also reported on Tuesday, so training camp is in full swing in Eagan.
As the practice sessions begin, we are continuing to take a look at the depth pieces of this Vikings team, and where they may fit into the 2023 roster through our “Road to 53” series. The next player on our list is DT Jaquelin Roy, who the Vikings selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Background
Coming out of high school, Jaquelin Roy was one of the most sought-after defensive tackle recruits in the nation. 24/7 Sports ranked him as the 43rd overall recruit in the Class of 2020, and he was the sixth-highest rated defensive tackle. However, the lineman opted to stay close to his hometown of Baton Rouge, committing to LSU despite receiving 25 offers.
Roy played six of LSU’s 10 games during his 2020 freshman season, and he recorded 18 tackles, including 4 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. However, coming off their national title run in 2019, LSU’s overall team success wasn’t great as they went 5-5, allowing nearly 35 points per game.
Things didn’t necessarily change for the better for LSU in 2021, with the program finishing 6-7 and 3-5 against SEC opponents. They lost the Texas Bowl against Kansas State, 42-20. That being said, it was a strong season of progression for Roy. He finished the year with 30 tackles, including 6 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also forced a fumble and recovered two. Pro Football Focus agreed that it was a terrific year for the defensive tackle, giving him an overall grade of 81.2, including a pass-rush grade of 89.6.
Then, in 2022, everything finally clicked for both Roy and LSU as a whole. The Tigers finished the season 10-4, their first winning season since 2019, and they dominated the Citrus Bowl, beating Purdue by a score of 63-7. The Tigers defense was a strongsuit to their game, allowing just 22.5 points per game. Roy contributed in a big way once again, totaling 49 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss.
Heading into the spring, there was a wide range as to where Roy could have been drafted by an NFL team. Ultimately, he landed at the latter end of that range, being selected 141st overall by the Minnesota Vikings, joining his defensive teammate Jay Ward.
How Roy Can Impact the 2023 Vikings
The best part of Jaquelin Roy’s game is the fact that he is basically the Energizer Bunny on the defensive line. Every single snap, he plays at 100%. ‘Relax’ is not a part of Roy’s vocabulary. Over 14 games for the Tigers this year, the defensive tackle played 50+ snaps in nine of them. As an interior defensive lineman, it’s rare to find a player with that type of endurance.
With the Vikings losing Dalvin Tomlinson in free agency, Roy now has an excellent opportunity in front of him to become an immediate contributor for Minnesota’s defense. Especially considering the Vikings had a lackluster pass-rush from the interior of their defensive line, that is a role that the rookie can fill immediately.
Obstacles in His Way
While Tomlinson’s departure from the team opens up a starting spot in the Vikings lineup, there are plenty of other players in the fold also competing for snaps, including free agent acquisition Dean Lowry.
On top of that, Roy will have a tough time filling the exact role that Tomlinson leaves behind. Tomlinson is an unstoppable force in the middle of a defensive line while Roy has a tougher time creating leverage against the larger offensive linemen.
We also have to take into account that Roy only has one season as a starter under his belt since joining LSU. He is a very raw talent and may take some time to get fully up to speed.
The Prediction
Overall, it would be a shock if Roy doesn’t make the Vikings 53-man roster. He has a boatload of potential that he showcased throughout his career at LSU, both as a pass-rusher and a run-stopper. However, he shouldn’t be considered a favorite to land a starting spot at this point in time. He will be a rotational defender on Brian Flores’ defense in 2023.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.