The 2024 crop of rookies has yet to step on the field and make their mark in the NFL, but that hasn’t stopped the class from racking up preseason accolades. Chad Reuter of NFL.com has released his 2024 All-Rookie team, and the Minnesota Vikings first-round pick, Dallas Turner, has made the cut.
During his time in Tuscaloosa, Turner was a standout defensive end for Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Last year alone, the star EDGE product stacked the box score with 53 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and ten sacks, adding one pass defended and two forced fumbles.
But Turner was far from a one-year-wonder for the Tide, amassing 120 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, and 22.5 sacks over three years. That production made Thomas the 17th-overall selection by the Vikings in this year’s draft, and it’s that kind of production that Reuter expects to (eventually) see from Turner at the pro level:
I suspect Turner will be a defensive force for the Vikings by the midway point of his rookie campaign, possibly starting the year as a designated pass rusher (and ultimately approaching a double-digit sack total) but eventually proving he’s able to drop into zones and fight tackles playing the run.
Turner has some big shoes to fill, taking over for former All-Pro edge rusher Danielle Hunter, who left in free agency for the Houston Texans. Turner likely won’t replicate Hunter’s production right away, but if he can come close, that should be enough for the defense to not miss a beat from the 2023 team. It was a vast improvement over the previous season.