The 5 Youngest Players on the Vikings | 2025

Dustin Baker |

Mar 30, 2025

Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) looks on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

The NFL Draft is 25 days away, and four to eight new players will join the club. A slew of undrafted free agents will also hit the roster before the end of the month.

The 5 Youngest Players on the Vikings | 2025

In the meantime, Minnesota still has time to add new free agents, although the popular names are off the board. The Vikings don’t need a lot of roster help right now, but some would enjoy a backup quarterback and perhaps another guard.

And per the current roster, these are the five youngest players on the Vikings roster as of March 30th, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = youngest).

5. Reddy Steward (CB)

Birthdate = May 4, 2001
Age = 23

vikings — Nov 3, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Reddy Steward (27) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Steward was a bit of a preseason folk hero in Chicago last year, logging 2 interceptions in a game and a forced fumble during the regular season. The Vikings have a reputation for plucking undrafted free agents out of the woodwork, so fans will monitor Steward intently.

He’s also really, really young.

Generally speaking, Steward will be a long shot to make the 53-man roster in September.

4. Jordan Addison (WR)

Birthdate = January 27, 2002
Age = 23

Dec 1, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts with Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah drafted Addison two years ago, and he’s somehow still the fourth-youngest player on the current depth chart.

Addison has not disappointed through two seasons — if one can ignore his July driving shenanigans — and the Vikings own his rights through the end of the 2027 campaign.

The 23-year-old is an electric playmaker.

3. Dwight McGlothern (CB)

Birthdate = February 6, 2002
Age = 23

Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Dwight McGlothern (29) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

An undrafted find by Minnesota last year, some onlookers had big plans for McGlothern in 2024, though he didn’t encounter significant playing time because Shaquill Griffin, Stephon Gilmore, and Fabiean Moreau held down the fort.

He has youth in his tool kit, however, and there’s a decent chance that McGlothern makes the 2025 roster as a CB5 or so.

2. J.J. McCarthy (QB)

Birthdate = January 20, 2003
Age = 22

Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

Minnesota nominated McCarthy as their quarterback of the future 11 months ago, but he busted his meniscus four months later. The man missed all of his rookie campaign, paving the way for Sam Darnold to shine for a season.

Now, Darnold is gone — he’s a Seattle Seahawk — and McCarthy is on deck to assume the QB1 job title.

Kay Adams asked McCarthy about his recovery progress this week, and he replied, “Fantastic, yes. Fantastic. I would say I’m 100%. Cheers to that. Staying consistent with the rehab process and not wavering for that and being disciplined with all the outside stuff and making sure I’m not chopping too much wood.”

She also asked how the injury affected his mindset, and McCarthy spun the ordeal positively.

“It was the ultimate blessing because it was such a time of stillness where you really got to reflect and introspect and find a routine, especially early on. This career and this profession, it’s huge for young guys to find that habitual routine that they can rely on and stay consistent with. I’d say that was the biggest thing for me,” he said.

The Vikings’ second-youngest player is good to go for 2025.

1. Dallas Turner (OLB)

Birthdate = February 2, 2003
Age = 22

Nov 17, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.

Drumroll …

This man wasn’t cheap per trade capital, but he furnished some fantastic moments as a rookie and will hope for an increased role in 2025.

The two men in front of him last year, Patrick Jones II and Jihad Ward, no longer work for the Vikings, so it might just be Turner time in the Twin Cities.

He’s the youngest player on the purple roster before the draft.

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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.