Pros and cons of Minnesota Vikings picking Alabama's Dallas Turner in 2024 NFL Draft
Former Alabama football linebacker Dallas Turner is officially an NFL rookie after being picked by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2024 NFL draft.
He was selected No. 17 overall in the first round after the Vikings traded up to acquire him. Last year, Turner took over as UA's top pass rusher for former star Will Anderson Jr., who was the No. 3 overall pick in 2023. Turner declared for the draft as an underclassman.
Here's what Turner brings to the Vikings, based on his career at Alabama.
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What Turner brings to the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 NFL Draft
Turner (6-foot-3, 247 pounds) is considered one of the elite pass rushers in the draft and figures to be an immediate starter with the expectation of making a significant impact. He was selected as one of three permanent team captains by a vote of teammates and was a consensus first-team All-America pick.
Last week, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said Turner possesses a skillset that, in some ways, is even more impressive than that of former Alabama star Anderson, who was drafted third overall by the Houston Texans.
Turner highlights, strengths, weaknesses at Alabama
Last year, Turner had a stretch of six games, including five SEC games, in which he recorded at least half a sack in each. He notched two sacks against Ole Miss and knocked LSU star QB Jayden Daniels out of a crucial SEC game with a controversial hit that put the quarterback in concussion protocol. He beats offensive tackles with a quick first step to help him get around the edge of the pocket, and has an array of pass-rush moves he can employ to finish the rep. Turner's arm length (34⅜ inches) is also considered a big plus at his position, helping him stay free of blockers against both run and pass. Turner plays with a mean streak and sometimes let his emotions get the best of him, and can draw the occasional personal foul.
Turner stats at Alabama
Turner enjoyed his most productive year as a pass rusher in 2023 with 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss for the Crimson Tide. He made 22.5 sacks and 32.5 TFLs for his career, which spanned two-and-a-half seasons as a starter, along with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Turner's NFL comparison
New York Giants OLB Brian Burns.
Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Vikings draft Dallas Turner in 2024 NFL Draft: Pros, cons of pick
