The Minnesota Vikings have found the right combination on defense.
The unit has been absolutely dominant during the team’s 5-0 start to 2024, entering the bye week ranked among the top teams in the NFL in DVOA (1st), sacks (2nd), interceptions (1st), third-down conversion percentage (5th), and yards per play (5th).
That success has made it hard for rookie Dallas Turner to carve out a significant role early in his pro career.
Turner played just 13 of 72 defensive snaps (18 percent) during Minnesota’s Week 5 win over the New York Jets in London. It was the former Alabama star’s second game back from a knee injury that forced him to miss the Vikings’ Week 3 win over the Houston Texans.
The Vikings gave up a haul to move up and draft Turner No. 17 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. They traded pick No. 23 — which the Jacksonville Jaguars used to select WR Brian Thomas Jr. — and a 2024 fifth-rounder (RB Keilan Robinson), as well third- and fourth-round picks in 2025.
That kind of bold move shows what kind of vision the Vikings have for Turner. It’s just unclear right now when the rookie’s time will come in 2024.
Turner operated as Minnesota’s No. 4 outside linebacker against the Jets, behind the red-hot Andrew Van Ginkel (61 snaps), Pat Jones II (41) and Jihad Ward (28). Despite his limited role, Turner still received his best PFF grade as a pro (76.9), grading out well ahead of Jones and Ward.
Dallas Turner was lightning quick into the backfield, and the TE coming across the formation couldn’t even touch him as he got into the backfield for the 4th down stop.
Pat Jones crashed hard, which also let Cashman come unblocked into the backfield to help make the play. pic.twitter.com/U1xtfTmmzr
— Matt Fries (@FriesFootball) October 8, 2024
Turner saw his highest number of reps (35) in Week 1 against the New York Giants. He did record his first career sack in that game, but it was an uneven performance overall. His snap count was basically cut in half in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers, and it’s remained in that range since.
For Minnesota, it’s a good problem to have. The Vikings can bring the rookie along slowly with hopes to fully unleash him during a potential Super Bowl run.
Here’s a full playing time breakdown from Sunday’s 23-17 win over the Jets:
Vikings Week 6 defensive snap counts
- Blake Cashman, LB — 72
- Harrison Smith, S — 72
- Stephon Gilmore, CB — 69
- Byron Murphy Jr., CB — 68
- Camryn Bynum, S — 64
- Jonathan Greenard, DE — 61
- Andrew Van Ginkel, OLB — 61
- Josh Metellus, S — 59
- Pat Jones II, OLB — 41
- Harrison Phillips, DT — 38
- Shaquill Griffin, CB — 36
- Jonathan Bullard, DE — 36
- Jerry Tillery, DE — 28
- Jihad Ward, OLB — 28
- Ivan Pace Jr., LB — 26
- Dallas Turner, OLB — 13
- Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB — 13
- Taki Taimani, DT — 7
Has there been a more impactful free agent signing across the NFL than Andrew Van Ginkel? He’s been a perfect fit for the Vikings and defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ scheme. Per PFF, he’s second among all defensive players in coverage, and now has taken a pair of interceptions to the house this season.
Andrew Van Ginkel has quietly been one of the best free agent signings of the offseason. This is already his second pick-six of the year.pic.twitter.com/Je6ekNI4v0
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 6, 2024
Vikings Week 6 offensive snap counts
- Christian Darrisaw, LT — 73
- Ed Ingram, RG — 73
- Brian O’Neill, RT — 73
- Blake Brandel, LG — 73
- Garrett Bradbury, C — 73
- Sam Darnold, QB — 72
- Justin Jefferson, WR — 69
- Jordan Addison, WR — 65
- Ty Chandler, RB — 46
- Josh Oliver, TE — 45
- Jalen Nailor, WR — 41
- Johnny Mundt, TE — 39
- C.J. Ham, FB — 23
- Aaron Jones, RB — 16
- Trent Sherfield , WR — 9
- Brandon Powell, WR — 6
- Myles Gaskin, RB — 3
- Nick Mullens, QB — 1
- Robert Tonyan , TE — 1
The Vikings averaged just 2.7 yards per rush in this game, with Aaron Jones exiting in the first half with a hip injury. The injury does not appear to be serious, but the scare represents a worst-case scenario for the Vikings, as we’ve seen what this offense looks like without the threat of a rushing attack under Kevin O’Connell.
The clear next man up for Jones was Ty Chandler. He played a season-high 46 snaps and struggled, gaining 39 total scrimmage yards on 16 touches (2.4 average). The Jets have a good defense, but Jones is clearly the team’s X-factor on offense. It was a completely different attack when he left the lineup, and not in a good way.
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