Who are the young defensive players to watch for the Vikings?

Key young Vikings defenders to watch include OLB Dallas Turner, DT Jalen Redmond, and S Jay Ward.

What are Dallas Turner's stats this season?

Dallas Turner has recorded 60 tackles, 40 pressures, 6 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles through 16 games.

How has Jalen Redmond performed this season for the Vikings?

Jalen Redmond has had a breakout season, ranking sixth on the team in defensive snaps and tied for third with 6 sacks, earning a high PFF grade.

Home / Sports / Vikings Young Stars Shine Brightest

Vikings Young Stars Shine Brightest

30 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Dallas Turner shows up with 6 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.
Jalen Redmond ranks 14th in PFF grade among defensive tackles.
Jay Ward earns high PFF grades in recent safety starts.

The upcoming Vikings-Packers game, despite lacking playoff implications, offers a glimpse into the team's future defensive stars. Young players like outside linebacker Dallas Turner are demonstrating significant upward trajectory. In his second season, Turner has more than doubled his playing time and recorded 6 sacks and 3 forced fumbles, showing flashes of elite pass-rushing and edge-setting ability.

Defensive tackle Jalen Redmond, a UFL standout, has had a breakout second season. He ranks sixth on the team in snaps and tied for third with 6 sacks. Redmond's performance has earned him a PFF grade ranking 14th among all NFL defensive tackles, marking him as a crucial building block for the defense.

Safety Jay Ward is also making a strong case for a larger role. After primarily playing special teams, Ward has seized recent starting opportunities due to injuries. He has recorded multiple tackles in recent games and achieved an outstanding 84.2 PFF run defense grade, highlighting his versatility and potential impact in the defensive scheme.