The Minnesota Vikings had high expectations for their 2024 first-round draft pick, EDGE Dallas Turner, selected 17th overall at a significant cost. However, the former Alabama Crimson Tide star has struggled to live up to the hype in his rookie season, leading some to question his future with the team.
During his debut year, Turner played a limited role, appearing in just 28% of Minnesota’s defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Reference. Veterans Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel dominated the edge rusher positions, leaving Turner on the sidelines. Greenard, coming off back-to-back double-digit sack seasons with 12 in 2024, and Van Ginkel, who earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors with a career-best 11.5 sacks, solidified their spots as starters. This left little room for Turner to showcase his potential.
In his limited opportunities, Turner struggled to make an impact, recording only 12 total quarterback pressures across 310 snaps. His contributions were more notable on special teams, where he played 12 snaps compared to just eight on defense during Minnesota’s playoff loss to the L.A. Rams in Arizona. For a first-round EDGE rusher, such minimal defensive involvement is far from ideal.
Despite this, head coach Kevin O’Connell has hinted at a larger role for Turner in his second year. Reports from OTAs and minicamp indicate that the 22-year-old has been getting more first-team reps than he did as a rookie. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores is expected to scheme ways to get Greenard, Van Ginkel, and Turner on the field together more often in 2025, which could unlock new opportunities for the young pass rusher to prove his worth.
However, Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder has raised concerns about Turner’s future, suggesting that the “bust” label could stick if he fails to break into the starting lineup. With two established Pro Bowl-caliber edge rushers ahead of him, Turner faces an uphill battle to earn significant playing time.
Still, it’s premature to write off Turner entirely. His limited snaps as a rookie make it difficult to fully assess his potential, and his increased involvement in practice suggests the Vikings remain invested in his development. If Flores can creatively deploy all three edge rushers, Turner could seize the opportunity to demonstrate why Minnesota paid a hefty price to draft him. For now, the former Alabama star’s story is far from over, and 2025 will be a critical year to shed the “bust” label and prove he’s a cornerstone of the Vikings’ defense.