The 5 Youngest Players on the Vikings Roster
The Minnesota Vikings saw a bit of a youth movement this offseason.
A number of key veterans from the 2023 season decided to head elsewhere in free agency, thus leaving the Vikings to try and replace many of these players with younger options. Here is a look at the five youngest players on the current Vikings roster.
5. TE Trey Knox (22 Years, 289 Days)
Trey Knox was one of the Vikings undrafted free agent signings this spring, joining a tight end room that could have an open roster spot at the beginning of the season if T.J. Hockenson heads to the PUP list. Knox spent five seasons playing at the collegiate level. Four of those seasons were played at Arkansas (2019-2022), and one was played at South Carolina (2023).
Knox proved to be a rather reliable receiving option throughout his collegiate career, catching 118 passes for 1195 yards and 11 touchdowns in 45 games.
4. WR Jordan Addison (22 Years, 123 Days)
Jordan Addison was the Vikings’ first-round pick in 2023, and he remains one of the youngest players on the current team despite having experienced a full NFL season. Addison was one of the best rookie receivers in the league during the 2023 campaign, totaling 70 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns.
This touchdown total tied for the most among all rookies last year alongside Lions tight end Sam LaPorta. With K.J. Osborn leaving the Vikings in free agency along with Hockenson’s uncertain injury status, Addison could be in line for even more production this season.
3. CB Dwight McGlothern (22 Years, 113 Days)
Another player to be signed as an undrafted free agent this spring, Dwight McGlothern played four seasons at the collegiate level. The cornerback spent two seasons at LSU (2020, 2021) and two more at Arkansas (2022, 2023).
McGlothern didn’t get much playing time during his freshman season of 2020, but for the final three seasons of his collegiate career, he was a very productive defender. Over his two seasons at Arkansas, McGlothern appeared in 22 games and totaled 72 tackles, four tackles for loss, 16 passes defended, seven interceptions, and three forced fumbles.
2. QB J.J. McCarthy (21 Years, 130 Days)
There will be plenty of eyes on J.J. McCarthy this year seeing as he is destined to be the heir apparent to Kirk Cousins at the quarterback position. After Cousins left Minnesota in free agency back in March, the Vikings made McCarthy the highest-selected QB in franchise history, taking him with the 10th overall pick.
At 20 years old, McCarthy led the Michigan Wolverines to a national championship, and now, he is hoping to win a starting NFL job at age-21, going against veteran Sam Darnold.
1. OLB Dallas Turner (21 Years, 117 Days)
The youngest player on the Vikings roster is the other first-round pick from this spring, Dallas Turner. The Alabama product was selected 17th overall by the Vikings after they traded up from No. 23 with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Turner spent three seasons at the collegiate level, and now, he will hope to replace Danielle Hunter, who signed with the Houston Texans this spring.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference and Sports Reference CFB.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.
