The Vikings roster is nearly set for coaching camp this summer time, and with that, the offseason strikes previous the roster building part and into the roster analysis part. As we get our first glimpses of the Vikings roster in motion all through the summer time, it’s time to guage which players should be candidates to make the final 53-man roster during training camp. Immediately, we proceed the “Highway to 53” by discussing WR Malik Knowles.

Background

Popping out of highschool at Lake Ridge Excessive in Mansfield, Texas, Malik Knowles was an fascinating recruit. At 6’2 he had the size to be a dominant receiver, however weighing in at simply 165 kilos harm his possibilities of touchdown with one of many high FBS applications. Consequently, he was a three-star recruit, and in January 2018, he dedicated to Kansas State to play for the Wildcats.

This was a program coming off an 8-5 season and a Cactus Bowl victory over UCLA in 2017 and prolonged success prior to now (showing in bowl video games for eight straight seasons from 2010-17), however they have been set to lose their high receiver, Byron Pringle, to the NFL Draft.

Knowles’ freshman season noticed him seem in simply three video games, however he made the many of the restricted alternatives. He caught 10 passes for 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns in these video games. Sadly, his manufacturing wouldn’t assist the Wildcats proceed their streak of bowl sport appearances as Kansas State went simply 5-7 throughout that 2017 season.

2019 introduced some large modifications to this system with a brand new head coach (Chris Klieman) and a brand new beginning QB for the offense (Skylar Thompson). Due to that, Kansas State was capable of get again to their traditional success, and Knowles took an enormous leap as effectively. The Wildcats went 8-5 as soon as once more, being ranked as extremely as No. 20 within the nation, and Knowles caught 27 passes for 397 yards and three TDs.

Knowles’ versatility as a soccer participant additionally was placed on show throughout his sophomore season, dashing seven instances for 70 yards and returning six kicks for 222 yards, together with a landing.

Then, 2020 rolled round, and whereas that was a troublesome school soccer season on the whole, it particularly appeared to influence Kansas State. After a 4-1 begin, the protection crumbled down the stretch of the season because the Wildcats misplaced their remaining 5 video games, permitting a complete of 203 factors over this remaining 5 video games. It didn’t assist that Thompson additionally suffered a shoulder harm that held him out for the ultimate seven video games of the season.

It was equally troublesome for Knowles as his junior season noticed an enormous step backwards by way of manufacturing. He caught simply 13 passes for 204 yards and three TDs over eight video games. His kick return common was reduce in half as effectively, averaging simply 18.5 yards per return on 11 alternatives.

Nevertheless, 2021 was as soon as once more a robust bounce-back season for Knowles and Kansas State. Regardless of Thompson lacking three video games as soon as once more, the Wildcats went 8-5 that 12 months, and Knowles had his finest season but, catching 29 passes for 441 yards and 4 TDs, all career-highs. He additionally had 15 carries that went for 106 yards, and his kick-returning was chic, bringing again 20 kicks for a ridiculous 662 yards whereas additionally scoring twice.

Knowles was starting to emerge as a possible NFL prospect if he continued to supply like he did in 2021, however he and Kansas State each wanted to string collectively back-to-back robust seasons in his fifth 12 months in the event that they have been going to emerge on the nationwide stage.

They did simply that as Kansas State went 10-4, being ranked 14th within the remaining AP Ballot, and whereas a lot of the offensive manufacturing laid on the shoulders of RB Deuce Vaughn, Knowles had one other season filled with career-highs as a receiver. He caught 48 passes for 725 yards and three TDs. His versatility remained an elite portion of his sport, dashing eight instances for 164 yards and three TDs whereas additionally stringing collectively 23 kick returns for 592 yards.

Knowles ended up going undrafted within the 2023 NFL Draft, however promptly afterwards, he was picked up by the Vikings, and now, he enters coaching camp hoping to proceed his stretch of success that he loved in 2021 and 2022 on the NFL stage.

How He Can Influence the 2023 Vikings

Knowles could have entered the Kansas State program as a slight receiver, however he definitely bulked up, and now, he’s listed at 196 kilos on the Vikings roster. Actually not the largest receiver, however he has a mixture of measurement and velocity that enables him to blow by gamers within the secondary whereas not being bullied by bigger corners.

As well as, his versatility as a participant possible is why the Vikings are intrigued by him. He can influence that sport not solely as a receiver, however as a rusher and particular groups participant too. He’s a strong blocker as effectively when given the chance.

With a capability to influence the sport in plenty of methods, Knowles will get a number of probabilities to point out the Vikings what he can do as a participant, and there’s a probability that a minimum of one space of his sport intrigues the workforce sufficient to maintain him round.

Obstacles in His Approach

Contemplating the depth at receiver for the Vikings proper now, it appears unlikely that they’d hold Knowles round moderately than one of many established gamers on the place with Minnesota utilizing their first-round decide to usher in Jordan Addison.

As well as, Knowles appears to be heading to Minnesota a pair years too late. Kene Nwangwu has been the most effective kick returners in all the league over his first two seasons, returning three kicks for touchdowns, so until Knowles proves to be even higher, it will likely be troublesome for Minnesota to justify holding him on the roster for that position. Knowles has nice expertise in a number of areas, however they’re areas that already appear to be stuffed in Minnesota.

The Prediction

In all, it will be a bit shocking to see Knowles make the ultimate 53-man roster for the 2023 Vikings. Whereas definitely not not possible, evidently the workforce could be very effectively set at each receiver and kick returner. Nevertheless, if Minnesota is compelled to waive the Kansas State product, they need to completely do their finest to maintain him round on the observe squad.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The Faculty of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing in regards to the NFL, Josh enjoys operating, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Try his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.