NFL.com Reveals Vikings’ Upcoming Breakout Star
Each year, at least one Minnesota Vikings player achieves unforeseen stardom or turns heads when most didn’t think he’d play a significant role.
NFL.com Reveals Vikings’ Upcoming Breakout Star
Former Vikings wideout K.J. Osborn did so in 2021, grabbing a WR3 job out of nowhere that year. Undrafted free agent linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. followed suit in 2023 as another recent example.
Well, this time, Dallas Turner will be that man for the purple team, according to NFL.com.
Breakout Candidate for the Vikings? Dallas Turner, per NFL.com.
NFL.com’s Marc Ross identified 10 possible breakout candidates around the sport this week, and Turner, the team’s 1st-Round outside linebacker from the 2024 NFL Draft, received a mention.
Ross explained, “Turner played just 28 percent of the Vikings’ defensive snaps in his first season, finishing with 20 tackles, three sacks and an interception. His path to more opportunities opened when Patrick Jones II, who had seven sacks in 2024, left in free agency. Turner should wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks alongside Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard in Brian Flores’ scheme.”
“NFL teams can never have too many pass rushers, and the Vikings clearly took that to heart when they plugged the middle of their D-line with free-agent signings Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen. Expect Turner to benefit from all of these moves in Year 2 and make the “huge jump” head coach Kevin O’Connell has predicted.”
Turner recently turned 22, so the Alabama alumnus has youth on his side.
Dallas Turner’s 2024 Campaign
Turner logged a sack in his first-ever NFL game, knocking New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones to the grass in Week 1 of the 2024 campaign.
Curiously, thereafter, his role within Flores’ defense diminished, as Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel hogged all starting OLB snaps. Rightfully so, Greenard and Van Ginkel earned trips to the Pro Bowl, so it’s not like either could be benched solely for the purposes of allotting Turner rookie playing time.
Turner also tabulated a sweet interception against the Seattle Seahawks last December and added a few more splashy plays as a rookie.
Now, his development will focus on consistent playing time — probably why he made Ross’ breakout list.
Path Cleared for Turner in 2025
As Greenard and Van Ginkel seized all starters’ snaps, men like Patrick Jones II and Jihad Ward often held down the fort as the supporting cast.
But because Turner is on the depth chart, hungry for his breakout, Jones II and Ward no longer work for the Vikings. Jones II left via free agency to pursue a starting job with the Carolina Panthers, alongside former Vikings OLB D.J. Wonnum. Ward, another veteran, has not been signed by a new team through eight weeks of free agency.
Greenard and Van Ginkel won’t suddenly be demoted, but the Vikings can rush three passers throughout games, and Turner is the “next man up” for that role.
Stardom Is Required
Turner has different expectations than most — and even more than typical 1st-Rounders.
The Vikings could’ve stood pat at their organic 2024 1st-Round draft spot and selected a pass rusher like Chop Robinson, who later wound up with the Miami Dolphins. But general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah rolled the dice on Turner, trading multiple mid-round draft picks to the Jacksonville Jaguars for the pick that would fetch him.
If you watched last month’s draft, wondering just where in the hell all the picks went, the answer: Turner.
For Adofo-Mensah’s trade to be worthwhile, Turner must blossom into a Pro Bowl defender, not some decent, run-of-the-mill commodity.
Other Breakout Options for Vikings
Third-year cornerback Mekhi Blackmon will return from a torn ACL he suffered last summer at training camp. The Vikings have big plans for the USC alumnus, and Blackmon could reasonably grab a CB2 or CB3 job.
Defensive tackle Jalen Redmond repeatedly flashed in 2024, afforded the opportunity to shine by Adofo-Mensah after a successful stint in the UFL.
And WR3 Jalen Nailor enters a contract year, meaning with a bit of consistency, he could flirt with the 1,000-yard mark if J.J. McCarthy deems him a favorite aerial target.
A Vikings Rival on the Breakout List
On a rival’s side of the business, Ross named Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams in the same category as Turner, waiting to break out.
Ross noted, “Williams is coming off an up-and-down rookie campaign, as he often had to navigate behind an offensive line that struggled to protect him. Even in those circumstances, Williams showed off his playmaking ability, setting franchise rookie records for completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns during a season in which the Bears fired their offensive coordinator and head coach.”
“Just four months after the rough end to his first season, things feel entirely different around the quarterback. The Bears hired an exceptional offensive play-caller in head coach Ben Johnson, retooled the offensive line and drafted dynamic playmakers in TE Colston Loveland and WR Luther Burden III. With better protection and a head coach who has a record of building explosive offenses, Williams is set up to fully realize his potential.”
Vikings organized team activities (OTAs) get underway on May 27th.
You must be logged in to post a comment.