Vikings Fifth-Round Pick Jaquelin Roy Agrees to Terms on a 4-Year Contract

Auburn Tigers quarterback Robby Ashford (9) tries to escape from LSU Tigers defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy (99) as the Auburn Tigers take on the LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Aulsu33

Prior to this afternoon, the biggest contract news for the Vikings in terms of their rookies had been their massive contract that they handed out to undrafted free agent EDGE Andre Carter II.

That changed on Monday, though, with the news that fifth-round pick DT Jaquelin Roy had agreed to a four-year contract worth a grand total of $4,179,772. The news was initially reported by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

Jaquelin Roy
Mar 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Louisiana State defensive lineman Jaquelin Roy (DL14) participates in the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into the draft after three years at LSU, Roy was considered a terrific athlete in the middle of the defensive line, and his prowess as both a pass-rusher and run-stopper should help the Vikings replace the loss of Dalvin Tomlinson in free agency. Interestingly, Lance Zierlein comped Roy to Tomlinson in his pre-draft scouting report of the defensive lineman.

The Vikings landed Roy by trading up from the No. 158 overall pick with the Indianapolis Colts to select him 141st overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Minnesota also sent Indy the 211th overall pick in the trade.

Apr 17, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (5) is sacked by LSU Tigers defensive lineman Jaquelin Roy (99) during the second half of the annual Purple and White spring game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The LSU interior defensive lineman shows great potential, and he was actually one of the choices that was part of our predictive mock draft earlier in the draft week. He was the second LSU defender taken in the draft as Minnesota also selected DB Jay Ward with the 134th overall pick after trading back from No. 119 with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Roy is the first Vikings draft selection to reach an agreement on his NFL contract and joins a defensive line in Minnesota that also houses Dean Lowry, James Lynch, Esezi Otomewo, Khyiris Tonga, T.J. Smith, Sheldon Day, Harrison Phillips, Ross Blacklock, and Jonathan Bullard.

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.

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