Minnesota Vikings extensive receiver Jordan Addison walks towards the sideline at Soldier Discipline after a hard-fought NFC North matchup in opposition to Chicago. On Nov. 24, 2024, Addison left the sector following an extra time street victory as Minnesota survived a late Bears rally and escaped with one other tense divisional consequence throughout its playoff push. Necessary Credit score: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Photos.
In a single offseason, the Minnesota Vikings went from one of many oldest rosters within the league to one of many youngest by reducing ties with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, and by watching C.J. Ham and Adam Thielen retire. Harrison Smith’s future, too, stays up within the air.
So, who’re the most effective younger gamers? We’ve ranked the 5 greatest Vikings beneath 25 in ascending order beneath (No. 1 = greatest younger Viking).
Rookies had been excluded for apparent causes — nobody is aware of in the event that they’ll turn out to be the true deal.
Vikings’ Subsequent Core Is Already Taking Form
Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins strains up in opposition to TCU through the CFP nationwide championship recreation at SoFi Stadium, getting ready for one more snap alongside the defensive entrance. On Jan. 9, 2023, Ingram-Dawkins competes beneath the brightest highlight as Georgia faces the Horned Frogs with a nationwide title at stake. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities.
5. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins | DL
Sure, this checklist is a bit underwhelming as a result of former normal supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah struggled to draft productive gamers, and sure, Ingram-Dawkins will get the nod accordingly.
The Georgia alumnus noticed a bit of motion as a rookie, 250 defensive snaps really, which is spectacular for a Fifth-Rounder. He might also convert to exterior linebacker this summer season. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell talked about it final month: “One of the things we really liked about him was his versatility. He did a lot of different things at Georgia, and he’s a really heavy presence on the edge. When we’re trying to run the ball out at that Christian Darrisaw gap out there, and then he’s out there setting the edge, that’s different.”
“And then his versatility to get kick inside, I don’t know if we’ll see him get much tighter than maybe a three, but from the 3T all the way out to the edge, that’s a really versatile player. And then you pair that with what Caleb Banks can be from a versatile standpoint, really being kind of from that 4i/5T on down; it’s exciting. And he’s had a really good sprint, and that kind of year to jump; we’re hoping that it’s happening right now.”
If the OLB gig involves fruition, Ingram-Dawkins could possibly be Minnesota’s third move rusher behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner.
4. J.J. McCarthy | QB
You’ll be able to snicker, and that’s effective — we absolutely notice that a lot of the world solely is aware of McCarthy from memes.
However the reality stays that he ranked sixth in EPA+CPOE to shut out the 2025 marketing campaign (Weeks 14 to 18), ending his first season as a starter on a optimistic word. In fact, he’s battling Kyler Murray at coaching camp and within the preseason for the QB1 job, a tall activity.
McCarthy nonetheless has loads of upside, and should you’ve already written him off, you evidently haven’t watched Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield play ball within the final three years, two passers left for lifeless earlier than reclaiming their careers.
3. Donovan Jackson | LG
Jackson had a stable rookie season with the Vikings, incomes a Professional Soccer Focus grade just below 60.0 — spectacular for a first-year guard thrown into motion instantly.
Regardless of breaking his wrist early on, Jackson nonetheless performed 14 video games, providing Minnesota hope for a long-term resolution on the place.
Minnesota Vikings guard Donovan Jackson works by place drills throughout minicamp, specializing in approach and conditioning alongside teammates on the workforce facility through the offseason program. On Jun. 10, 2025, the rookie lineman sharpens his fundamentals beneath the teaching employees’s path as he begins carving out a job alongside Minnesota’s offensive entrance. Necessary Credit score: Matt Krohn-Imagn Photos.
Shifting ahead, Jackson wants to show final yr’s flashes of brilliance into constant, dependable performances every week. His sturdy showings in opposition to Chicago present a promising basis. If Jackson excels in 2026, it is going to come as no shock.
2. Dallas Turner | OLB
The runway lastly belongs to Turner. With Jonathan Greenard’s departure, the roadblock that stored Turner from being a full-time defender has been eliminated. After two years of ready, Minnesota not has to contrive snaps for its former first-round decide.
Turner earned this chance late in 2025, concluding the season with 8.0 sacks and forcing 4 fumbles. The optimistic outcomes coincided together with his increasing position.
Had Greenard remained in Minnesota, Turner would probably have spent one other season rotating behind him. Whereas this setup would have strengthened the depth chart, it could have additionally hindered the event of a participant drafted to be a game-wrecker.
That concern is now gone. The Vikings can construct their exterior linebacker room round Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel.
1. Jordan Addison | WR
Addison hasn’t fairly topped 1,000 yards in a season, and his manufacturing largely mirrors the quarterback’s. If the Vikings’ passer is any good, Addison cooks. If the quarterback struggles with accuracy, Addison is fairly quiet.
Minnesota Vikings extensive receiver Jordan Addison battles Chicago cornerback Nahshon Wright for a contested catch close to the sideline at U.S. Financial institution Stadium late within the afternoon. On Nov. 16, 2025, Addison elevates for the throw as Wright challenges the play, making a dramatic spotlight throughout Minnesota’s divisional matchup with the Bears in Minneapolis. Necessary Credit score: YouTube.
The very fact stays that Addison is an electrical weapon. Now that Murray is on the town, his expertise could possibly be absolutely unlocked, particularly in a season when he can moderately ask for a contract extension or quickly after.
As long as Addison nips his off-the-field indiscretions within the bud, he’s the highest Viking beneath 25 till followers see what the 2026 rookies are all about.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
