Vikings Youngster Wastes No Time Making an Impression
You wanted a Dallas Turner breakout season, and all indications from training camp imply that’s on the way.
A promising young Vikings defender is making waves at training camp, showcasing early signs of breakout potential. Here’s the skinny and why it’s a welcome sight.
Turner has splashed so far at Minnesota Vikings training camp, and boots on the ground have noticed.
Minnesota drafted Turner in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft, and it seems he’s on track to bring that draft stock to life this season.
Breakout Season for Dallas Turner Looks Imminent
The Vikings’ young OLB is turning heads at training camp.
Dallas Turner Is Doing the Thing
Here’s one example. Pioneer Press Dane Mizutani wrote, “Dallas Turner was an absolute monster. Nobody had a better practice than edge rusher Dallas Turner.”
And ESPN’s Kevin Seifert on Turner: “If there was a standout player in the Vikings’ first full-pads practice of the summer, it was linebacker Dallas Turner. Turner, the second of the Vikings’ two first-round picks in 2024, notched a sack of quarterback J.J. McCarthy and also tipped a pass in the flat, nearly turning it into an interception.”
Don’t forget head coach Kevin O’Connell: “He came back from the jump, in the offseason program, just his body, the shape he was in, just looks so strong. I think he’s gained a lot of strength, I think he’s gained a lot of understanding of the role.
So, you know, everybody is saying the same thing.
Music to Fans’ Ears .. and Relief
And this is refreshing news.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah sold a healthy section of the farm to obtain Turner 15 months ago. He needs the young pass rusher to morph into a star. Otherwise, the trade, in hindsight, will not have been worth it.
Last season, Turner turned heads when placed on the field, but he only factored into about 28% of Vikings defensive snaps. His performance at training camp bodes well for an increased snap count this season.
Increased Workload in 2025 No Matter What
On that notion of more action for Turner, it may occur by default.
Minnesota did not re-sign Patrick Jones II or Jihad Ward this offseason. They landed with the Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans, respectively. Unless the beholder believes that undrafted free agents like Bo Richter, Gabriel Murphy, or Tyler Batty will steal Turner’s OLB3 job — or Adofo-Mensah signs a free agent like Za’Darius Smith — Turner is virtually guaranteed to receive more snaps this season.
Last year, two Pro Bowlers, Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, “got in the way.”
Other Vikings Standing Off the Page
QB1 J.J. McCarthy has looked the part of a starting quarterback at camp. Cornerback Jeff Okudah is rolling with the 1st-teamers. Unsung wideout Jeshaun Jones has turned heads. Will Reichard is nearly perfect in game-like situations. Jordan Addison has done Jordan Addison things.
And tight end Ben Yurosek is trending to a TE3 job. Camp has gone quite well for the purple team, rest assured, even if it’s just one week old.
PurplePTSD on Turner
Our pals at PPTSD also observed Turner’s training camp prowess.
Janik Eckardt wrote this week about Turner, “A dynamic athlete coming out of Alabama, he was still just 21 years old in his rookie year and required some patience, something that isn’t handed out easily in today’s NFL (or society).”
“Turner appeared in 17 games in his rookie season (including a brief appearance in the postseason) and recorded 21 tackles, three sacks, and one interception, playing just over 300 defensive snaps. He displayed his otherworldly athleticism a few times, but couldn’t make a lasting impact with Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard hogging the snaps at outside linebacker.”
It’s officially summer hype season for Turner, who flashed when afforded an opportunity as a rookie.
Eckardt continued, “Now-departed defender Patrick Jones was also in the mix. Turner’s role will grow in year two because of Jones’ departure. His rise can also help the two starters rest without a huge dropoff up front. In addition to that, both Turner and Van Ginkel can line up as off-ball linebackers, further giving Turner extra opportunities.”
“Monday’s explosion came after Greenard, as well as coaches Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores, tried to establish that their young friend had worked all offseason on his craft, and he succeeded. They claimed he got ‘bigger, stronger, and faster.’ Looks like they were right.”
Turner and his pals take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in 41 days to start the regular season.
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