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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Tyler Forness

Vikings 90-man roster player profile: FB C.J. Ham

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

David Berding/Getty Images

Name: C.J. Ham

Rank: 25

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 250 lbs

Experience: 2nd year

College: Augustana

Stats (In NFL): 96 games, 33 starts, 36 rushes, 97 yards, 3 touchdowns, 70 receptions, 610 yards, 2 touchdowns

Votes:

Tyler Forness: 27

Kevin Fielder: 21

Judd Zulgad: 26

Saivion Mixson: 26

Average: 25.00

Best case scenario

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The projected shift back to more 12 personnel will likely afford Ham more playing time than he got in 2022. Last season, Ham played 182 snaps last season, his lowest total since 139 snaps in 2018 under offense coordinator John DiFillipo. He has been a solid fullback in all aspects, including catching the ball out of the backfield.

Worst case scenario

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Ham isn’t as effective at the age of 30 and/or the Vikings shift to more 11 personnel as the season wears on. Ham’s skill set as a fullback isn’t likely to deteriorate at an exponential rate, but a shift to more 11 personnel like last season is the more likely outcome.

What to expect in 2023

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

I don’t think you are going to be getting the Ham of 2021 where he was being targeted 10+ yards down the field, but he is a stalwart player that will help the Vikings’ running backs find the hole and get rushing yards in chunks as a lead blocker. He will likely be on the team for the 2023 and 2024 seasons wit his extension and that should work out nicely for the Vikings.

The Real Forno Show

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