Bears, Falcons, and Vikings targeting the best edge defender prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft class
The Alabama Pro Day is always stacked every single year with top tier NFL Draft prospects. This spring is no different. But the star garnering more attention than any other former Crimson Tide prospect is edge defender, Dallas Turner. Thanks to his incredible blend of athleticism, production, and pedigree he's quickly become the favorite to […]
The Alabama Pro Day is always stacked every single year with top tier NFL Draft prospects. This spring is no different. But the star garnering more attention than any other former Crimson Tide prospect is edge defender, Dallas Turner. Thanks to his incredible blend of athleticism, production, and pedigree he's quickly become the favorite to be the first edge defender off the NFL Draft board next month.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network at least three teams slated to pick inside the first 11 selections on draft day are set to take a close look at Dallas Turner on official pre-draft visits. The Bears, Falcons, and Vikings all pick between the 8 and 11 spot in round one. It looks like that could be where the former Alabama star comes off the board.
Dallas Turner has been rising even higher up NFL mock draft boards since he annihilated the competition at the NFL Combine. Turner posted a 99th percentile A to Z Sports Athletic Composite Score as he ran a 4.46-second forty-yard dash and jumped 40.5 inches in the vertical at 247 pounds. Just unreal athleticism.
How special is Turner's athletic testing, exactly? According to the aforementioned athletic composite his best historical physical comparison is (no exaggeration at all) future Hall of Fame edge rusher, Von Miller.
When the athleticism is combined with his age (just turned 21 in February) and pass rush pressure rate near 20% last fall, one thing becomes clear. Turner is one of the best edge rushing prospects ever, let alone in this NFL Draft class.
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The Falcons have been tied to Dallas Turner all throughout the draft process and after signing Kirk Cousins they have become the favorite to select Turner in round one (43% odds via sports books). But if the Falcons do let Turner slide for some reason, the Bears are right behind them at pick nine.
The Bears have done nothing major to address the edge defender position this off-season and could certainly use an elite option to pair with Montez Sweat for 2024. Adding Turner would instantly give the Bears one of the best pass rushing duos in the league.
The Vikings are assumed to be in the market for a quarterback, but according to reports this week the Giants may spoil their shot at acquiring the prospect they want. If Minnesota can't trade up for their quarterback of the future, they may just take the best edge rusher off the board at pick 11.
There are several teams slated to select an edge defender early in this year's NFL Draft. Only one team will be lucky enough to land Dallas Turner. Be on the lookout for more NFL Draft news and updates in the coming weeks here at A to Z Sports. And be sure to follow us on X (Twitter) @AtoZSportsNFL for all the latest news from around the NFL!
