The 5 Oldest Players on the Vikings Roster
Last week, we presented an examination of the youngest players on the Minnesota Vikings’ 2025 roster to the masses.
The 5 Oldest Players on the Vikings Roster
Now, it’s time to flip the script: uplift the five oldest players entering 2025.
With no further adieu, these are the oldest Vikings players on the current roster, listed in ascending order (No. 1 = oldest).
5. C.J. Ham (FB)
DOB: July 22, 1993 (31)
Ham has been a part of the Vikings’ roster orbit since undrafted free agency in 2016, fulfilling fullbacking duties in a league that has substantially said sayonara to fullbacks.
He plays more on special teams under Kevin O’Connell’s brand of Vikings, whereas Mike Zimmer previously used Ham more on offense. But the man still plays an integral role as a locker room leader and team captain.
He’ll turn 32 this summer, making him the fifth-oldest player on the purple roster.
4. Ryan Kelly (C)
DOB: May 3, 1993 (31)
A newcomer to Minnesota, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah onboarded Kelly — rather unexpectedly — last month while letting Garrett Bradbury walk to the New England Patriots.
Offensive linemen often play longer into their careers than running backs or linebackers, for example, so Kelly should have a few solid seasons left.
Kelly is a four-time Pro Bowler and will pair with his teammate from the Indianapolis Colts, Will Fries, who is not part of the old list. Fries is 27.
3. Javon Hargrave (DT)
DOB: February 7, 1993 (32)
Another new Viking, like Kelly, Hargrave filled out an impressive free-agent batch for Minnesota last month. Along with fellow defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, the Vikings’ defensive trenches were rebuilt in like a day.
Hargrave, though, isn’t young and probably has two or three seasons maximum of peak performance left in the tank. He can terrorize quarterbacks, however, and that’s what fans have asked for — for years — from Minnesota’s front office: get some pass rush from the defensive line’s interior.
At 32, Hargrave is in the house to do that.
2. Harrison Smith (S)
DOB: February 2, 1989 (36)
If Harrison Smith makes it to the Hall of Fame — his case gets better by the day — it will be about his longevity, above all else.
His skill set is tremendous, as well, but the fact that Smith continues to play through his age-35 season at a high level is mind-bending. He should be slowing down, featuring traits on Sundays that make fans think, “Oh, boy. Smith stunk today.”
He never has such games.
1. Andrew DePaola (LS)
DOB: July 28, 1987 (37)
Long snappers don’t get much love, but the Vikings’ version is a three-time Pro Bowler. He’s as dependable as they get per long-snapping duties, and the man can pretty much play indefinitely.
DePaola missed four games due to injury last year, so perhaps the age peeked through a bit.
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