2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
Welcome to the Exclusive Sneak Peek: Dallas Turner, edge rusher out of Alabama. He is from Fort Lauderdale, FL. Turner was a five-star prospect coming out of St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
Dallas Turner committed to Alabama in July of 2020. At that time he was ranked as the top-ranked edge rusher on 247sports.
Alabama has been known to recruit some heavy hitters on defence. Turner is no different. In his freshman year, he brought in 8.5 sacks. This was second to now Houston Texans linebacker, Will Anderson Jr. This allowed him to receive Freshman All-American honors. Plus, he was selected to the All-SEC Freshman Team.
In his sophomore year, his role would increase for the Crimson Tide. He brought in 10 more total pressures (35) than his freshman year. Plus, he increased his total tackles (37) by 7 more than his freshman year. Turner also brought in 4 sacks.
He helped lead the Crimson Tide to an SEC championship in his junior season. He led the team with 10 total sacks. This includes one sack in the first round of the College Football Playoffs against the Michigan Wolverines.
Measurables
NCAA Statistics
| Tackles | Def Int | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF |
| *2021 | Alabama | SEC | FR | LB | 11 | 14 | 16 | 30 | 10.0 | 8.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| *2022 | Alabama | SEC | SO | 13 | 16 | 21 | 37 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 0 | ||
| *2023 | Alabama | SEC | JR | LB | 14 | 28 | 25 | 53 | 14.5 | 10.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Career | Alabama | 58 | 62 | 120 | 32.5 | 22.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 1 | 2 | |||||
Scouting Reports
Strengths
- Quickness allows him to explode off the line maneuvering around any blocker.
- Has the speed to step back into coverage when needed.
- Excellent ball-tracking skills. Uses his awareness and speed to find the ball and attack.
- Closes the gap quickly at the line to help avoid big gains.
- Plays with a high motor on every snap.
Weaknesses
- Although he is quick and strong at times he does not act in one motion. He either uses his quickness or strength as separate abilities rather than combining the two into one singular motion.
- Slightly smaller for an NFL edge rusher. I would like to see him gain a few pounds to go against some of the bigger tackles at the next level.
- Knows how to attack from different angles, but at times struggles going head-on versus blockers. Better off the edge, than straight on.
Pre-Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital: Top 12 Overall
Ideal Landing Spot: Denver Broncos
Currently, the Denver Broncos hold the 12th pick overall. Honestly, that might be too late to grab Dallas Turner. Too many he is the best pass rusher in the 2024 draft. I do think there is a slight possibility that he goes in the top 10. There is a chance the Washington Commanders (2nd pick), Arizona Cardinals (4th pick), New York Giants (6th pick), Tennessee Titans (7th pick), or the Atlanta Falcons (8th pick) all take a chance on Turner. All those teams had some struggles adding pressure towards the quarterbacks in 2023. An area in which Turner could greatly improve immediately. On the other hand, each of those teams could use help elsewhere too.
That brings me to the Denver Broncos with pick 12. IF, and it is a big if Turner is there I think it is the immediate pick to be made. The Broncos had one of the worst run defenses in the league last season. They have linebackers Alex Singleton and Josey Jewell leading the charge in the middle of the defense. Where they lack is off the edge. They could use an edge rusher like Turner to cause more pressure on the quarterback. Not to mention, his ball-tracking skills could elevate their run game.
This class is special when it comes to edge rushers. I say that because there is tons of talent in that position in the 2024 class. Turner will undoubtedly be a first-round pick. If the Denver Broncos can take him at pick 12 many would consider a major steal in the draft.
