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Dallas Turner Is Ready for a True Breakout Year in 2026
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- Dallas Turner Is Ready for a True Breakout Year in 2026
Brad Rempel
The Minnesota Vikings front office put a lot of effort and draft capital into drafting a pair of first-rounders in the 2024 draft. The early results weren't what was expected, but patience is proving a virtue — at least in the case of Dallas Turner , who has become one of the positives of an otherwise disappointing season.
Turner's rookie season stayed under the radar, but the underlying indicators suggest Minnesota's first-round defender is poised for real impact.
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Overshadowed by being in the same draft class as a quarterback, Turner's slow start for the Vikings was seen as the final nail in the coffin for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's draft record after JJ McCarthy missed all of his rookie season through injury. Minnesota's quarterback has had more injury problems again this season, as well as some very bad days on the field.
Dallas Turner's Development Curve Points Up
There have been some bright spots, giving hope that McCarthy still has a chance to come good, but the Vikings will once again head into the offseason with uncertainty surrounding the QB position.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) lines up on defense during an NFC wild card game on Jan 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. Turner faced the Los Angeles Rams as Minnesota pushed to extend its postseason run with intensity on both sides of the ball. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
That's not the case on the edge of the defense, where the Vikings have Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel . Neither quite lived up to the extremely high level of last season, with injury issues for both players this year. However, those injuries gave Turner a chance to step up, and the second-year player has taken those opportunities. Year 2 has been much better for Turner, who has gotten stronger as the season has progressed.
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With one game left to go, Turner has racked up 60 tackles (three times last season's total), six sacks (double last season's total), 9 tackles for loss (three times last season's total), 3 forced fumbles (0 last year), and 3 passes defended (three times last season's total). That is exactly the sort of progression you are looking for from young players and should give confidence for next season. Further improvement on those numbers and the former Alabama Crimson Tide defender will be pushing into the top tier of production at his position.
Week 17 Was Turner's Strongest Game Yet
Turner will look to finish the season strong this week, as the Vikings host the Green Bay Packers at US Bank Stadium to round out the 2025 season. Coming on the back of what was the strongest game of his career in Week 17 against the Detroit Lions . He received praise from Pro Football Focus for his efforts against the Lions and had the highest pass-rush win rate across last week's slate of games.
Highest Win Rate: Dallas Turner , Minnesota Vikings
Turner is coming off his best game as a pro against the Lions in Week 17, one in which he led the NFL with a pass rush win rate of 32.0%. He has helped fill the void at EDGE when Jonathan Greenard was shut down for the season with a shoulder injury earlier this month.
How good is a 32% pass-rush win rate? The league leader over the season is the Houston Texans edge defender Will Anderson Jr , with a win rate of 26.7. Only six players are above 20% on the season, and they are the big names that you would expect.
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis (43) runs against Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
For one week, Turner's pass rushing was elite, earning a pass-rush grade of 87.0, clocking five pressures, a sack, and a forced fumble. A repeat of that level of performance would be incredible, but just another good display from Turner will see him end this season strongly.
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That will leave Turner poised and ready to have a true breakout season in 2026, which will lead him to become a true top-level edge defender — what you expect from your first-round draft pick.
