Vikings Rookie Gets High Praise from a Star

NFL: NFL Draft
Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

This year’s Vikings rookie class carries with it a great deal of anticipation.

The main reason behind that anticipation lies within the first-round draft picks: QB J.J. McCarthy and OLB Dallas Turner. McCarthy became the first top 10 pick at the QB position in Vikings history, and Turner was the first edge rusher to be selected in the first round by the team since 2005.

Over the past week, the Vikings have been going through their OTA stage of the offseason, allowing rookies and veterans to get on the field together for the first time. One Vikings star has been extremely impressed with what he’s seen from the two first-round picks so far, and particularly Turner.

Vikings Rookie Gets High Praise from a Star

Vikings Rookie
Dec 31, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner (15) reacts during the first half against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the 2021 Cotton Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

That star is Christian Darrisaw, who has spent the past three seasons as the stalwart left tackle in Minnesota. He has been tasked with going up against Turner in a number of practice reps so far, and the results have been positive for both players.

Darren Wolfson of KSTP tweeted a video of Darrisaw raving about the rookie. “He had a spin move last week, it was quicker than Danielle’s. I was like, ‘Damn, this guy’s gonna be special,'” the left tackle mused.

Similarly to Hunter, Turner’s biggest strength coming into the 2024 NFL Draft was his stunning athletic profile. The Alabama product isn’t necessarily the biggest edge rusher out there (6’3″ and 251 pounds), but his ability to maneuver in the trenches along with some ridiculously long arms give him the potential for star-level production.

Sep 24, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner (15) celebrates after defeating the Vanderbilt Commodores at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 55-3. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

During his third and final season at Alabama, Turner put together 53 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. That sack total led the entire SEC last season and already far surpasses anything Hunter contributed during his time at LSU from 2012-2014.

Hunter recorded just 4.5 sacks over his three seasons with the Tigers, and three of them came during the 2013 season.

NFL: NFL Draft
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner poses after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the No. 17 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Turner just turned 21 years old in February, making him the youngest player on Minnesota’s roster. However, the expectations are sky-high for the rookie after these comments from one of the best offensive linemen in the league.


Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Sports Reference CFB.

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.