Breaking Down Dallas Turner

A deep dive into the Vikings’ new edge rusher

With the 17th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Dallas Turner, edge rusher, Alabama. He was the second edge rusher and third defensive player selected in the draft, and ranked #9 on the consensus board and the #1 edge rusher. He was expected to be a top ten pick just prior to the draft, and possibly the first defensive player selected.

The Vikings traded picks #23, #167 (fifth-round), and a 2025 3rd and 4th round pick to move up to pick #17 and draft Turner. According to the Jimmy Johnson value chart, there is a 190 point differential between picks #23 and #17. Pick #167 is worth 24.6 points. If you use the mid-point value for the 3rd and 4th round picks, and discount them one-round as is typically done in valuing next year picks, that results in the Vikings paying 93 additional points, or 117.6 points total. The added 72.4 point value generated there is equivalent to a 4th round pick (#111).

Nevertheless, draft trade gurus and pundits panned this trade, in part looking at the trade up to acquire the 23rd pick prior to the draft. However, the rationale behind that trade was different (adding a 2nd first-round pick to provide flexibility in potentially moving up for a quarterback or potentially drafting one at #23), which doesn’t really apply to the the decision to trade up from #23.

The fact that Turner, who few if any pundits thought would be available at #17- most had him going #8 to the Falcons- as the consensus #1 edge rusher in the draft, is an important consideration in the Vikings decision to move up.

Traits

Dallas Turner has excellent athletic traits and arm length for the position but is relatively small for the position from a height and weight standpoint. He compares to Von Miller in physical traits, although his agility is a question mark and probably not as good as Miller’s, but with longer arms and bigger hands. Turner turned 21 in February.

College Stats

In 2023, Turner was a consensus All-American, First-Team All-SEC, lead the SEC in sacks, and was a team captain. He was also a freshman All-American and All-SEC Freshman in 2021.

College Football Reference

PFF Profile, Grades and Stats

PFF

PFF

PFF

PFF

Scouting Reports

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

Long and athletic with the explosive traits needed to become an impactful NFL pass rusher. Turner’s first-step quickness and elite closing burst are important building blocks, but he still needs to work on his process from Point A to Point B. He hasn’t learned to create the space and angles needed to consistently attack the edges, but that should come with better hand development and a more diversified approach. A team would be wise to widen him out and allow him a better runway to ignite his burst and overwhelm tackles with his speed. He’s added 20 pounds since coming to Alabama, but he struggles at times to stack and shed run blockers or set a firm edge. Turner’s frame and game are much less developed than Will Anderson Jr.’s coming out of Alabama last year, so it could take time for him to make his mark as a starting 3-4 outside linebacker.

Dane Brugler, The Athletic

STRENGTHS: Built with explosive muscle fibers throughout his long, athletic frame … rushes with the get-off burst and body flexibility to dip/bend the corner … shows a variety of moves, including a deadly ghost move … above-average speed with an extra gear to close in pursuit or from the backside … flashes strong, firm hands for aggressive stabs (his nickname at Alabama was “Stab Club Dal”) … explosive at contact to work off blocks or drive blockers into the lap of the quarterback … sets a hard edge versus the run, using his length and explosive hands to nonchalantly shock and torque passive blockers from their spot … skillfully sees through blockers, and strength makes him a magnet for offensive holding calls … elite motor; his switch never turns off … has the athleticism to comfortably drop into coverage … voted a team captain in 2023, with Nick Saban saying Turner set a “high standard” with work ethic and care for doing the little things … welcomes hard coaching and “wants to be pushed,” according to high school DC Jason Taylor … set career bests in production in his third season.

WEAKNESSES: Average bulk and should continue growing into his frame … needs to continue strengthening his lower body … can do a better jo b setting up blockers to counter without thinking … snap anticipation can be more consistent (three offsides penalties in 2023) … aggressive nature can backfire and needs to be a better finisher in short areas (also had two personal fouls vs. LSU in 2023) … had several quiet tapes as a pass rusher (three or fewer pressures in nine of 14 starts in 2023).

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Alabama, Turner played the SAM linebacker position in former coach Nick Saban’s hybrid 3-4 scheme, lining up in both a two- and three-point stance. He had a mentor-apprentice relationship with 2023 first-round pick Will Anderson Jr. (they’re also best friends) and filled his shoes admirably in 2023, earning consensus All-American honors with an SEC-best 11 sacks. As a pass rusher, Turner is quick off the ball to get underneath blocks or bury his hands into the chest of blockers to convert his speed to power. Despite lacking ideal bulk, he plays physically at the point of attack and is a strong run defender (aside from some missed tackles that need to be cleaned up) with an elite competitive motor. Overall, Turner is a long, explosive edge rusher with the body twitch, hand usage and play strength to leverage blocks and be disruptive in multiple ways. He has the freaky tools to be a potential impact player in the NFL who should continue to improve as his body and rush attack mature

Jeff Dean, 33rd Team

Dallas Turner is a starting EDGE for Alabama’s base Nickel defense, primarily rushing from a stand-up position. He suffered an undisclosed injury that caused him to miss the 2023 spring practices, but no games. Turner has an imposing frame with long limbs and defined muscle throughout. His frame could support more weight, but it should come slowly to not lose his burst. He is very fluid in space and has the acceleration and straight-line speed to keep up with smaller players downfield. His strength from awkward angles is impressive, as is his twitchiness. He shows a competitive spirit battling through games and often making big plays late in games.

Pass Game:

Turner is a natural pass rusher who has the physical profile to dominate on the edge. He has a good first step, wasting minimal steps, and he can attack an opposing lineman in numerous ways. He has shown a diverse repertoire and has gotten better each season. He has shown impactful rip, speed, bull rush, long-arm, and swipe moves while also showing promising swims and cross chops. While he has a bag of tricks, the timing of the moves is still a work in progress. His hands and feet do not always flow together, causing mistimed hand movements or out of place steps. This allows the offensive lineman to set himself up and brace for impact. Although there is work to be done, when he executes effectively he is very difficult to consistently stop and can be a game wrecker. Turner has flashed the ability to flatten the arc with more regularity recently, generating power while keeping his outside arm free. His strength from awkward angles is impressive, and he can knock a lineman off balance without going straight at him. His motor allows him to make plays as the play breaks down, and he can dominate a game in the 4th quarter. His bend is still developing, but there is immense potential with his length and strength combination. Turner’s initial punch has a tendency to miss high or be fired too late to maximize its effectiveness. Despite primarily rushing while standing up in college, he showed he was capable of rushing with his hand in the dirt and could work in a 4-3 with some added weight. His athleticism is apparent in the open field as he looks comfortable in coverage and can keep up with smaller players down the field.

Run Game:

Turner’s range and closing speed allow him to operate outside of his immediate area and take down ballcarriers effectively. While not the biggest, he holds his own on the edge and understands leverage to hold the point of attack while keeping his outside arm free. This, coupled with his burst, makes him a tough edge defender against the run. His tackling is sufficient, and he is better in pursuit than squaring a ballcarrier up. When squared up, he can become a little too aggressive and break down late. Turner shows the necessary ability to be an effective run defender on the edge, but he does not generate many tackles for loss in the run game and has only 2 forced fumbles in his career. There is nothing overly alarming, but he will need to make more splash plays in the run game to match his raw ability.

Last Word:

Turner projects as a starting EDGE in a 3-4 defensive scheme, but he could work in a 4-3 if given more time. His pass rushing ability will make him a valuable 3rd down asset. While he primarily rushed from the outside, he showed some flexibility when asked to rush from the inside and could be an intriguing option if reduced down. Turner is capable in coverage, however he is best utilized as a pass rusher. If needed, he would be a core special teams player.

College Film

Highlights