A 49ers draft pick named Dallas?!

Hey stranger things have happened right. Recently the 49ers even traded a quarterback to the Cowboys.

The 49ers scouting staff will undoubtedly be keen observers of Saturday's game between Alabama and Texas, which is teeming with potential NFL talent, including an edge rusher likely to be of interest despite his first name.

Each week during the college football season, we'll take a look at one player in action who should be on the 49ers' radar. Last week it was Illinois' Jer'Zhan Newton. This week it's the turn of Alabama edge Dallas Turner.

Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner

Height: 6ft 4in

Weight: 242 pounds

Class: Junior

Turner was a consensus five-star recruit out of the renowned St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He turned down a plethora of offers from other national powerhouses to play for the Crimson Tide and quickly hit the ground running.

Indeed, Turner had 8.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in his freshman year. Those numbers dropped off to four sacks and eight tackles for loss last year, though he did recover a fumble for a touchdown.

He has yet to add to his career sack tally in 2023, but the hype around this hugely intriguing pass rusher will grow if he changes that in Saturday's marquee matchup.

How does he fit with the 49ers

Turner might be seen as something of a luxury pick for the 49ers given they already have the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, now the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history, Nick Bosa on their front. In addition, the Niners drafted Drake Jackson in the second round in 2022.

But for a long time now the Niners have been reliant on a rotating cast of veteran edges behind Bosa. With few obvious holes, they would surely relish the chance to build on a strength by adding another young edge they can develop.

As for his fit with what the 49ers do up front, San Francisco might want to see Turner add more bulk to his frame, but his combination of explosiveness and flexibility off the edge could make him the ideal player for the Dee Ford speed rusher role, which has stayed vacant since injuries forced the Niners to part with Ford.

A 49ers team that stunts its front very often will probably also need to see more of Turner's ability to win inside. Still, for a team that values defensive line depth as much as they do, Turner should be a player they track closely.

Round Estimation

Theirs something of a disparity in assessments with Turner ranked ninth on the top 50 list of Dane Brugler of The Athletic but 22nd on Pro Football Focus' big board.

Those contrasting positions do at least indicate a consensus that Turner is a first-round prospect.

Expected to end up picking near the end of the first round, it might take a trade up for the 49ers to get in the mix for Turner, but recent history has proven they are not averse to taking such big swings.

Watch

Alabama vs. Texas – Saturday Sept. 9 at 7.00 p.m. ET – Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama – ESPN

49ers keep intriguing reclamation project around after activating Nick Bosa

The edge depth for Week 1 is strong.

Featured Image Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports