The Vikings have two first-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Minnesota selected QB JJ McCarthy from Michigan with the 10th pick. The Vikings used the 17th pick to draft OLB Dallas Turner out of Alabama. Unfortunately, both 2024 first-round picks have done little to no good for the Vikings this season.
JJ McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee injury during the preseason. On the other hand, Dallas Turner played in all seven games this season and showed a decrease in snap count each week. Speaking with the media this week, the Vikings’ defensive coordinator preached patience with rookie Dallas Turner. He said rookies take time to develop and Turner shouldn’t be evaluated on his first six games.
Dallas Turner is going in the wrong direction for the Vikings.
I understand the frustration with Dallas Turner’s lack of production/snaps thus far. Specifically, look at where Rams rookie Jared Verse is.
But remember:
-Bus is almost three years older than Turner. Imagine where DDT could be with two additional seasons of development.
– Rams edge rush…— Purple FTW! Podcast (@PurpleForTheWin) October 29, 2024
In Week 1 against the Giants, Dallas Turner played 35 defensive snaps. He recorded his first career sack and had three tackles. Since then, Turner’s playing time has decreased significantly. In Week 2 vs. San Francisco, Turner was on the field for 18 snaps and then sat out Week 3 due to injury. When Turner returned against the Packers in Week 4, he had played in just 11 games. He played 13 snaps against the Jets in Week 5, but those numbers dropped again in Week 7 when he played 5 snaps against the Lions.
When the Vikings played the Rams in Week 8, Turner played in just three snaps. He has six tackles, one sack and one tackle for loss after the first six games. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has been preaching patience to Turner during his rookie season. He mentioned Steelers All-Pro Cam Heyward as a player who turned pro early in his career. Flores said he sees a similar trajectory for Turner. The Vikings face the Indianapolis Colts at home in Week 9.
