Dallas Turner Listed As Backup On Vikings First Depth Chart
Minnesota Vikings rookie outside linebacker Dallas Turner is listed behind edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel on the team's first unofficial depth chart. The veteran defenders were brought in during free agency after strong seasons with the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins, respectively. Greenard posted a career-high 12.5 sacks in 15 games last season, while Van Ginkel posted a career-high six sacks. Turner, who was projected by many to be a top-10 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, slipped to the No. 17 slot after posting 32.5 tackles for loss and 22.5 sacks in three seasons at Alabama. He figures to play a significant role as a rookie, but he might work behind the veteran duo for the first half of the season or beyond.
The Minnesota Vikings announced that first-round linebacker Dallas Turner signed his four-year rookie contract on Sunday in order to report for the start of training camp this week. The Vikings traded up with the Jacksonville Jaguars in April's NFL draft to take Turner with the 17th overall pick out of Alabama. The 21-year-old was one of the top pass-rushers in this year's draft class after recording an SEC-leading 11 sacks in his final collegiate season in 2023. Turner is undersized for an edge rusher but makes up for it with his elite athleticism and is expected to be an immediate starter in Minnesota's defense. The Vikings are hoping that Turner can make up for the loss of Danielle Hunter, who is now playing for the Houston Texans.
Minnesota Vikings Trade Up To Select Dallas Turner
The Minnesota Vikings traded up to the 17th spot with Jacksonville to select Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner. Turner had an outstanding combine and totaled ten sacks last season. He can disrupt the opponent's run game with a great reaction time. The 21-year-old can also drop into coverage when needed. The Vikings were in the middle of the pack with 43 total sacks, and Turner should help them significantly.
The Athletic's Bruce Feldman believes that Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner is an ideal fit for the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 8 overall pick in this year's NFL draft. The Falcons can use a pass-rushing spark, and Turner was the most disruptive player for Alabama's defense last year, recording 14.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks to go with 13 QB hurries and two forced fumbles. What the 21-year-old lacks in size (6-foot-3, 247 pounds), he makes up for in explosiveness and pure athleticism. "He's violent with his hands and is the best pass rusher we've faced the last two years. He's freaky athletically. We thought he was very versatile," one coach said.
Dallas Turner Could Start A Run On Defensive Side In First Round
The Athletic currently has Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner as the lone defender in the top 11 of the latest big board for the 2024 NFL draft. Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu have tumbled down the board lately, but teams picking in the teens in the first round could string together a run of defensive players. Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean and Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold have seen their stock on the rise of late, crowding the picture in the middle of Round 1. The first 10 picks of this year's draft are expected to be offense-heavy, with three quarterbacks -- USC's Caleb Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels -- all expected to come off the board before pick No. 10.
Dallas Turner
• OLB
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Cowboys
