Vikings’ Meeting With Top Defensive Prospect Raises Questions on QB Plans
The Minnesota Vikings are angling for a quarterback near the top of the first round of the NFL draft, but the team is also preparing to go another direction if necessary.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported on Wednesday, March 20 that the Vikings are among a small group of teams that elite pass-rushing prospect Dallas Turner of Alabama will meet with in the coming days.
“Alabama edge Dallas Turner — who could be the first defensive player off the board — told me he has upcoming pre-draft visits with, among others, the #Bears (Nos. 1 and 9), #Falcons (8) and #Vikings (11 and 23),” Pelissero posted to X.
Bears, Falcons More Likely Landing Spots for Dallas Turner Than Vikings
Both the Bears and Falcons are more likely to land Turner than the Vikings due to their quarterback situations.
Chicago will presumably use its top overall pick to select USC’s Caleb Williams, then will come up on the board again two picks ahead of the Vikings. After trading a fourth-rounder to the Los Angeles Chargers for wide receiver Keenan Allen, the Bears no longer appear in the market for a high-end prospect at that position. That leaves the edge and potentially left tackle as the two areas of need Chicago might address inside the top 10.
Meanwhile, the Falcons stole Kirk Cousins out from under Minnesota on the strength of a four-year deal worth $180 million, which includes $100 million guaranteed, at the beginning of free agency. ESPN’s Mel Kiper predicted in his updated mock draft on March 19 that the Falcons will make Turner the first defensive player off the board with the 8th pick, one spot before the Bears’ second selection and three spots ahead of the Vikings.
“This is another pairing that makes too much sense. It’s a combo of biggest positional need and best available prospect,” Kiper wrote. “The Falcons, of course, made the biggest splash in free agency by signing quarterback Kirk Cousins, but their defense is mostly the same. They have to get better along the defensive line. … Turner had 22.5 sacks over three college seasons and he improved his pressure rates every season. He’s the clear No. 1 edge rusher in this class.”
