Once again, the Vikings have moved up the board. Minnesota has traded the 23rd pick to the Jaguars for No. 17, also sending No. 167 this and 2025 third- and fourth-round selections to Jacksonville.
With the pick, Minnesota has drafted Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner. The prospect was considered one of the top edge rushers in this year’s draft, leading to some speculation that he could be the first defensive player off the board. In a normal year, that’d warrant a top-10 pick, but considering this year’s unprecedented run on offensive players, Turner was the 17th player off the board tonight.
The 2023 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Turner posted a career-high 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss last season. Those figures helped earn him All-American acclaim as he took over from Will Anderson as the Crimson Tide’s lead edge rusher.
The Vikings will be eyeing a bit of a transitional season in 2024. After landing their Kirk Cousins replacement in QB J.J. McCarthy earlier tonight, the team has now added a potential defensive stalwart in Turner.
The edge rusher will likely profile as more of a linebacker in Brian Flores‘ 3-4 defense. The organization has brought in a number of players at the position this offseason, including Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, and Blake Cashman, so the rookie might not immediately slide atop the depth chart. Turner’s versatility could also lead to some snaps on the defensive line, where he’d be competing with the likes of Jonathan Bullard and offseason addition Jonah Williams.
I thought he would be gone in top 10. Defenders are going to be mad since they are mid first and lose some money.
Well with the recent flag football rule changes, looks like team just figure to explode the offenses since defense won’t matter with so many penalties on the tackling side they’ll just try to outscore the other team….
Wow. Solid return for the Jaguars. I’m curious who they have their eyes on. Turner would have been a great move for them.
Trying the Texans blueprint with the QB and then best rusher.
Great pick
Yeesh!
Vikings get: 10, 17, 207 and 232
They gave: 11, 42, 129, 157, 167, 188 and 2025 second, third, and fourth-round picks (after combining what they gave to HOU for 23 & NYJ for 10).