Oct 1, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers fans in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings have a couple of intriguing rookies for the 2024 season. All eyes will be on quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The championship-winning QB will have his work cut out for him, with veteran Sam Darnold also hoping to win the job.
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. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
However, another rookie that could have an immediate impact is Dallas Turner. Turner was the Vikings’ second first-round selection and could be a dynamic edge rusher from the jump. Turner racked up 22.5 sacks, 32.5 tackles for loss, and 120 total tackles during a historic three-year career with the Alabama Crimson Tide. The rookie will team up with Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard to try and replace franchise legend Danielle Hunter.
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports recently predicted which rookies will be selected for the All-Rookie Team. McCarthy didn’t make the cut, simply because no one knows how much the rookie signal-caller will see the field. However, Trapasso has Turner making the team as one of his two edge rushers. Regarding the Turner pick, Trapasso offered the following:
Turner is barely 21-years-old, wins with magnificent explosiveness and bend around the corner and is only scratching the surface with his hand work. He’ll be a weapon in Brian Flores’ ultra-aggressive defense in 2024.
Chris Trapasso
Laiatu Latu is the other edge rusher selected by Trapasso, while Jared Verse and Chop Robinson were the second-team and honorable-mention choices, respectively.
The Vikings’ Rookie And His Teammates Must Replace Danielle Hunter
Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter (99) warms up before the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Since entering the league in 2015, Danielle Hunter has had double-digit sacks in five different seasons. In 2023, the edge rusher collected 16.5 sacks. For reference, no other player on the team reached double digits. Hunter departed in free agency for the Houston Texans, so replacing that production is crucial for the Vikings.
The aforementioned Turner will hopefully do his part in replacing that production. Free agent additions Greenard and Van Ginkel should also help. Van Ginkel has 17 sacks over five career seasons. Greenard has 23 sacks over four seasons, but 12.5 of those came in 2023. That breakout performance led to the edge rusher landing a big payday with the Vikings.
Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner (15) celebrates after a sack in the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
In college, Turner showed an ability to be a disruptor and a force off the edge. In his last season with the Crimson Tide, Turner racked up ten sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. Turner set career-highs in tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss and is tied for sixth in Alabama history in career sacks.
If Turner makes the All-Rookie Team as Trapasso predicted, it’s safe to say that Hunter’s production has successfully been replaced.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Sports Reference CFB helped with this article.
Source link : https://purpleptsd.com/2024/vikings/vikings-analysis/1-vikings-rookie/
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Publish date : 2024-07-23 20:00:00
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