Inside The Vikings

Vikings Roster Countdown: No. 65 Austin Schlottmann — Interior Depth

Schlottmann is a solid veteran backup who can play both center and guard.
Will Ragatz|
Vikings Roster Countdown: No. 65 Austin Schlottmann — Interior Depth
Vikings Roster Countdown: No. 65 Austin Schlottmann — Interior Depth

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Minnesota Vikings

Ahead of the Vikings' 2023 preseason, we'll be taking a look at every player on the 90-man roster, counting down from 99 to 0 (excluding the UDFAs, who we've already profiled). For every player, we'll look at the best and worst-case scenarios and their realistic outlook for the upcoming season.

No. 65: Austin Schlottmann, G/C

Age: 28 | Size: 6'6", 300

Austin Schlottmann is a reasonably solid player to have on the roster as a backup interior offensive lineman. The Vikings signed him to a one-year deal in 2022 and saw enough to re-sign him on another one-year, veteran's minimum contract this spring. Assuming he makes the roster, he'll provide depth at both center and guard while seeing some a few snaps on the field goal unit.

After going undrafted out of TCU in 2018, Schlottmann signed with the Broncos and spent his rookie season on their practice squad. He then made the active roster in his second season and played roughly 260 snaps in both 2019 and '20, seeing action at both guard spots. Last year, Schlottmann followed Denver offensive line coach Chris Kuper to Minnesota and found himself starting at center in Week 14 because Garrett Bradbury was hurt. He started four consecutive games there, but only played five snaps against the Packers before injuring his ankle.

In five NFL seasons, Schlottmann has appeared in 58 games with 11 starts. His PFF metrics have been consistently below average, suggesting he's unlikely to ever be more than a backup in the league.

Best-case scenario: Schlottmann makes the roster and is available as depth at all three interior spots. The Vikings hope he never has to see the field.

Worst-case scenario: He gets beat out by younger players in training camp and ends up being cut.

Outlook for 2023: Schlottmann seems likely to make the roster because of his experience and versatility, but it would be bad news for the Vikings if he ever has to start for an extended period of time.

Previous Vikings player profiles

Danielle Hunter | D.J. Wonnum | Harrison Phillips | Ross Blacklock | Khyiris Tonga | Dean Lowry | Jonathan Bullard | James Lynch | Patrick Jones II | Esezi Otomewo | T.J. Hockenson | Johnny Mundt | Josh Oliver | Jalen Nailor | Vederian Lowe | Jaquelin Roy | Oli Udoh | Ezra Cleveland | Christian Darrisaw | Ed Ingram

UDFAs

Ivan Pace Jr. | Andre Carter II | Ben Sims | Jaylin Williams | C.J. Coldon | NaJee Thompson | Thayer Thomas | Cephus Johnson III | Malik Knowles | Calvin Avery | Jack Podlesny | Jacky Chen | Alan Ali | Wilson Huber | Abraham Beauplan | Garett Maag | Junior Aho | Lucky Jackson | Sam Schlueter | Zach Ojile

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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