Inside The Vikings

Vikings Rookie Dallas Turner Draws High Praise From Christian Darrisaw

Turner's spin move caught the eye of one of the Vikings' best players.
Will Ragatz|
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner poses after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the No. 17 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza.
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner poses after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the No. 17 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. | Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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Minnesota Vikings

Vikings rookie edge rusher Dallas Turner is already making quite the impression at OTAs. At a recent practice, he broke out a spin move that caught the eye of one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL — and drew a lofty comparison.

"He had a spin move last week, it was quicker than Danielle's," Christian Darrisaw said on Wednesday (via Darren Wolfson). "I was like 'Damn, this guy's gonna be special.'"

The player Darrisaw is referring to is, of course, four-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter, who signed with the Texans this offseason after posting 16.5 sacks in his ninth year with the Vikings. Darrisaw spent the last three years duking it out in practice with Hunter, who is one of the most physically gifted pass rushers in the league. So for him to say that Turner's spin move is even quicker than Hunter's is very high praise.

Darrisaw did clarify that Turner put the move on someone else, not on him. "I was like 'holy f***,'" Darrisaw said. "It was one of those."

The Vikings have major hopes for Turner, who they traded up to select with the 17th overall pick in last month's draft. The 21-year-old former Alabama star seems to have all of the tools to become a star pass rusher at this level, which would be massive for Brian Flores' defense. He's long and powerful, he's a remarkable athlete, and he's continuing to develop more and more moves to get to the quarterback. Between signing Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and drafting Turner, the Vikings were able to put together a very intriguing OLB room even after losing Hunter and D.J. Wonnum in free agency.

"I think Dallas is gonna be special," Darrisaw said. "His explosiveness (stands out). He has that burst, he's quick."

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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