Vikings 90-man roster player profile: LB Jordan Hicks
Welcome to the beginning of our 2023 season preview content!
Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at each player on the 90-man 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: Jordan Hicks
Rank: 21
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 236 lbs
Experience: 9th year
College: Texas
Stats (In NFL): 109 games, 106 starts, 767 tackles, 43.0 tackles for loss, 31 quarterback hits, 13.5 sacks, 12 interceptions, 1 touchdown, 44 passes defended, 5 forced fumbles, 9 fumble recoveries
Votes:
Tyler Forness: 22
Kevin Fielder: 22
Judd Zulgad: 22
Saivion Mixson: 21
Average: 21.75
Best case scenario
While on the downside of his career, Hicks can be a useful player in base packages with Brian Flores. He is still good at playing the run and attacking downhill, which is something that Flores’ aggressive scheme will help to maximize what Hicks is at this stage of his career.
Worst case scenario
Hicks could easily get exposed in the passing game. Last season, Hicks had a PFF grade of 52.5 and allowed 59 catches for 736 yards and four touchdowns in the passing game. He and Eric Kendricks got taken advantage of by running backs and linebackers last season. Even if he is used in base packages only, teams can still expose him in that area.
What to expect in 2023
Hicks is still good at two things: blitzing and stopping the run. Flores knows how to utilize his players to maximize what they are able to do currently and Hicks will be no exception. He will struggle against the pass, but the aggressive nature of Flores will be able to maximize Hicks as a blitzer.
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
36-Ryan Wright
35-Esezi Otomewo
34-Jalen Nailor
33-Ty Chandler
32-Jonathan Bullard
31-D.J. Wonnum
30-Patrick Jones II
29-Andrew DePaola
28-Ed Ingram
27-Lewis Cine
26-Garrett Bradbury
25-C.J. Ham
24-Josh Metellus
23-Andrew Booth Jr.
22-Akayleb Evans
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