After 14 straight offensive players selected in a row, an NFL record, the next two players were Edge Rusher Laiatu Latu and Defensive Tackle Byron Murphy. In this draft, Kweis Adofo-Mensah is not shy about making bold trades. He traded away picks 23, 167, plus a 2025 3rd, and a 2025 4th to move up to pick 17. The Vikings GM used that pick to select Edge Rusher Dallas Turner, who many regarded as the top pass rusher in the draft.
Turner is 6'3" 247 with 34 3/8" arms. He ran 4.46 forty, had a 40.5" vertical jump, and a 10'7" broad jump. Turner was First-team Associated Press All-American, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, First-team All-SEC, a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Defensive Player of the Year Award and the Lott IMPACT Award (Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, Tenacity). He led this team with 14.5 TFL and was tied for eighth in the FBS with 10 sacks.
Turner is long and athletic with the explosive traits needed to become an impactful NFL pass rusher. Another excellent pick!
Grade: A+Mark P, Vikings Analyst