ESPN Analyst Thinks the Vikings Made the Best Pick of the Draft
Throughout the 2024 NFL Draft, there were a grand total of 257 players selected.
The Minnesota Vikings made seven of those selections throughout the weekend, and according to one ESPN analyst, the Vikings made the very best pick of the entire event.
That analyst is Jordan Reid, and he believes that Minnesota’s selection of Dallas Turner with the 17th overall pick was the best selection made throughout the weekend.
ESPN Analyst Thinks the Vikings Made the Best Pick of the Draft
On Monday morning, ESPN published an article with multiple analysts sharing their opinions on the best as well as the most head-scratching draft picks of the weekend. Here is what Reid had to say of Turner going to the Vikings:
“Minnesota hasn’t drafted an edge rusher in the first two rounds since 2005 (Erasmus James). The team needed to replenish its talent off of the edge after losing Danielle Hunter in free agency. While the team signed Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel during free agency, Turner provides a high upside as a pass-rusher in Brian Flores’ defense. Turner led Alabama with 10 sacks and 45 pressures last season.”
For some, Turner was viewed as the best pass rusher in the entire draft class. He is an elite athlete with ridiculous length that allows him to get after opposing quarterbacks. The fact that the Vikings were able to land him at No. 17 is nothing short of remarkable.
There is the matter of the price tag that Minnesota paid in terms of draft capital in order to select Turner, though. To move up from No. 23 to No. 17, the Vikings sent the Jacksonville Jaguars Nos. 23 and 167 as well as a 2025 third-round pick and 2025 fourth-round pick.
On top of that trade, the Vikings also moved Nos. 42 and 188 along with their 2025 second-round pick in order to acquire the 23rd overall pick from the Houston Texans. So, in total, Minnesota sent away two second-round picks, a third-round pick, a fourth-round pick, a fifth-round pick, and a sixth-round pick in order to bring in Turner.
Some may view this as an overpay, and in terms of draft trade value charts, it most certainly is a very steep price. However, nobody will think twice if Turner ends up being a strong defender for the Vikings in an outside linebacker room that saw a great deal of turnover this offseason.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.