Minnesota Vikings OTAs: Danielle Hunter’s departure set to be alleviated by first round pick from Alabama

The Vikings were active on draft night, trading up one spot for who they hope to be the future of the franchise via QB J.J. McCarthy. But when they traded with the Jaguars to acquire the 17th overall pick, there is a chance they acquired the best defender in the draft. 

Before the Falcons shocked the world by selecting QB Michael Penix, the common thought was that Dallas Turner was the pick at eighth overall. But with a run on QBs, WRs, offensive linemen, and two other defenders, the Vikings couldn't wait any longer and traded up for Turner. 

Turner may not be as tall as Hunter, checking in at 6-3 compared to Hunter's 6-5, but he is from the same ilk when it comes to pass rushers. 

Both are long, linear and explosive athletes, with prounnced arm length of over 34 inches. 

And while Hunter blew away folks with his size and speed, it doesn't compare to Turner, who at only five pounds lighter, ran a 4.46 40-yard dash and jumped over 40 inches. 

But as we know, physical traits aren't the end all be all when it comes to edge defenders. You have to be able to develop a pass rush plan and show the potential to win on an island against a tackle. 

Hunter struggled with that for the first three years of his career, but once the light bulb went off, the league was in trouble. 

That might be the best part about Turner, seeing that he has the physical traits, yet proven production in college's hardest conference where he recorded double-digit sacks in 2023 and as the main presence on that Alabama defense. 

Now that doesn't mean Vikings fans should expect Turner to walk in and mirror the 16.5 sack season that Hunter just had, but his ceiling is just as high if not higher than Hunter's. 

So with OTAs here and the season inching closer, don't be shocked to hear the Turner to Hunter comparison as we get closer to kickoff.