The Minnesota Vikings made a bold move in the 2024 NFL Draft, trading a bounty of picks to select linebacker Dallas Turner at No. 17 overall. The high cost raised expectations for the rookie, but through the first half of the season, Turner’s impact has been limited. However, a strong performance in Week 9 has sparked speculation that the first-rounder may be ready to take on a bigger role in the Vikings’ top-ranked defense.
A Quiet Start for a Costly Pick
Despite the draft capital invested in Turner, the rookie has seen limited action so far. Veterans Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard have been stellar, making it difficult for Turner to crack the lineup. Through eight games, the first-rounder has played just 20% of the Vikings’ defensive snaps, with nearly as many special teams reps as defensive ones.
The sight of a high draft pick contributing more on special teams than defense has raised eyebrows, leading some to question whether Turner was already falling into the same trap that claimed other recent Vikings draft busts like Lewis Cine. Head coach Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores have been quick to defend Turner’s development, with O’Connell projecting that he will one day be an “absolute monster.”
Patience and Potential
Flores, in particular, has preached patience with the rookie, comparing him to Steelers star Cameron Heyward, who didn’t become a full-time starter until his third season. As Flores noted:
“I’ve heard the talk about the snap counts, and I think it’s just hard to make a determination on a player and what he is based on seven games, especially early in his career. I think Dallas is going to be just fine.”
– Brian Flores, Vikings Defensive Coordinator
Turner himself seems unfazed by the chatter, focusing instead on learning from the veterans around him. “The one thing that I kind of wanted to really stand on going into my rookie year,” he said, “is to just really be a sponge and learn the most that you possibly can as fast as you can.”
A Breakout Performance
In Week 9 against the Colts, Turner finally showed flashes of the potential that compelled the Vikings to trade up for him. With Van Ginkel briefly sidelined, the rookie played a season-high 24 snaps, recording six pressures on just 10 pass-rushing reps according to Next Gen Stats.
Though Flores chalked up Turner’s increased usage to the “next man up” mentality, he acknowledged the rookie’s strong play, saying, “Dallas did a few good things as well. That’s a deep room. There’s a lot of good players in there, and by and large we’re going to go with the hot hand.”
The Road Ahead
While one strong performance doesn’t guarantee a permanent role expansion, it’s a promising sign for Turner and the Vikings. As the rookie continues to develop and learn from his veteran teammates, his snap counts will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike.
Given the steep price the Vikings paid to acquire Turner, expectations will remain high. But if the first-rounder can build on his Week 9 breakout and carve out a consistent role in Minnesota’s elite defense, the trade may yet prove to be a worthwhile gamble for a team with championship aspirations.
