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Vikings Doubt 1st Rd Pick Can Handle Bigger Role
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- Vikings Doubt 1st Rd Pick Can Handle Bigger Role
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
We have less than a month until the 2026 NFL Draft, where the Minnesota Vikings currently hold four top-100 picks . That's a lot more early-round ammunition than 2025, when they had just one, which was used on starting left guard, Donovan Jackson (Ohio State).
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Where they go with those picks is yet to be seen, and we really have no idea what they want to do or who they are targeting, now that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is no longer running the show .
At this point, all we can hope for is that the combination of Rob Brzezinski, Kevin O'Connell and Brian Flores can do better than their predecessor. Of course, that shouldn't be too difficult, being Kwesi was one of the worst executives to ever be in charge of MN Vikings draft picks.
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Approximate Value Over Expectation for draft picks since 2022:
1. Rams (+125.2)
2. Buccaneers (+92.4)
3. Bills (+79.6)
4. Packers (+76.5)
5. Seahawks (+64.7)
…
28. Titans (-26.7)
29. Browns (-35.1)
30. Cardinals (-36.7)
31. Panthers (-39.5)
32. Vikings (-61) pic.twitter.com/xmLRKJYQ6P— Steven Patton (@PattonAnalytics) March 19, 2026
While his 2022 and 2023 drafts were brutal, the former GM's more recent selections aren't looking much better. The Vikings' 2024 class, for example, has currently produced just one starter — kicker Will Richard (5th round).
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With their first two picks that April, Minnesota selected QB JJ McCarthy (No. 10) and EDGE Dallas Turner (No. 17). Going on three years later, neither player has earned a starting role, even though the Vikings did their very best to force McCarthy into that role last season… which he quickly proved he wasn't ready for.
Minnesota Vikings still uncomfortable playing Dallas Turner more often
On the other side of the field, the coaching staff has been much more reluctant to throw Turner to the NFL wolves. While Dallas has found the field in 33 of the MN Vikings' 34 games since being drafted, he's started just 10. And those starts came to fruition because of Jonathan Greenard or Andrew Van Ginkel injuries.
With that being said, if you were hoping this would be the year we see Dallas Turner take giant leap in his development that we've all been waiting for… local insider Darren Wolfson (KSTP) has some bad news for you.
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On a recent episode of Purple Daily (SKOR North) , Wolfson reports that the MN Vikings still do not seem comfortable giving Turner a more significant role than the one he already has.
"I don't think the Vikings are ready for Dallas Turner — even though you look at the last half of last year, [I know] there's a sense that Dallas Turner is ready to ascend even more — but I'm not sure, internally, they are ready for Dallas Turner to play 55 to 62-ish snaps in a game. And who else do [they] have?
Now, I suppose if you trade Greenard, okay, Dallas ascends up, he'll play that much more. You can go sign a street free agent — there's still some guys available — or use a draft pick on somebody that can rush the quarterback from the edge.
But I just I don't think they're ready for Dallas to have like a significantly bigger role. I'm getting into semantics, right? Because is he going to have a bigger role in 26? Yes. I'm not suggesting otherwise, but a much bigger role? I'm not sure they're ready for that."
What has Turner shown (or not shown) the Vikings?
Obviously, Minnesota's lack of confidence in their 23-year-old former Alabama phenom is one of many reasons why the Vikings are so hesitant to trade Greenard, who apparently wants more money than what anybody in the league is apparently willing to pay him.
In his 33 NFL games played (1,012 defensive snaps), Turner has collected 11 sacks, 86 tackles, 14 TFL, 4 forced fumbles and 1 interception. He's also managed 8 QB hits and 54 total QB hurries. While it's difficult to judge on standard stats, his 65.5 (2025) and 64.1 (2024) PFF grades the past two seasons don't help either.
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Related: Interest Not Mutual Between MN Vikings and Star Free Agent
If Wolfson is right about the Minnesota Vikings' feelings toward Dallas Turner, it'll be up to him to prove them otherwise this summer. Because there is no doubt the kid still has all the physical tools necessary to be a really good NFL player.
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