Vikings Trade Up Again to No. 17 and Bring in More Pass Rush Help

Josh Frey |

Apr 25, 2024

Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner (15) celebrates after a sack in the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Just minutes after the Vikings traded up to select QB J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota is on the move up the board again.

This time, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah opted to hop up from No. 23 to No. 17, swapping picks with the Jacksonville Jaguars. And with that pick, the Vikings have brought in Alabama pass rusher Dallas Turner.

Vikings Trade Up Again, Draft Dallas Turner

For the trade, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that the Vikings would send Jacksonville Nos. 23 and 167 as well as a 2025 third-round pick and 2025 fourth-round pick. It’s a bit of a steep price to pay to move up six spots, but Turner is a supreme athlete coming off the edge.

Turner was a five-star recruit coming out of high school, and he lived up to that hype throughout his Alabama career. In 2023 alone, he recorded 53 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 14 games.

Turner is capable of winning as a pass rusher from all over the field. He can beat offensive tackles off the edge, or he can slither his way through the middle of an offensive line when lining up as a true linebacker in the box.

Oct 14, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner (15) reacts after holding Arkansas Razorbacks to a loss of yardage during the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings did spend a good chunk of money in free agency on Jonathan Greenard, but now, Minnesota has two players who can be extremely productive off the edge.

This was a bit of a problem in 2023 with Danielle Hunter bearing much of the weight in terms of the Vikings’ ability to get after opposing quarterbacks. Now, Hunter is no longer in the locker room after signing with the Houston Texans last offseason.

Additionally, both Marcus Davenport and D.J. Wonnum signed elsewhere, leaving the Vikings with only five pass rushers even with the signings of Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel.

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

On top of Turner’s talent, he is one of the youngest players in this draft class having just turned 21 years old in February. In all likelihood, he is only going to get better over the next few years.

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

Also Read on PurplePTSD:
TRADE: The Minnesota Vikings Move Up to No. 10 and Get Their Quarterback of the Future

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.