Vikings select edge-rusher to replace Pro Bowler in latest mock draft

The Minnesota Vikings will likely lose star edge-rusher Danielle Hunter in free agency this offseason. If that's the case, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network believes they'll find an immediate replacement in April's draft. 

In version 2.0 of Jeremiah's 2024 mock draft, he has the Vikings choosing the first edge rusher off the board, Alabama's Dallas Turner.  

"I wouldn't rule out the Vikings drafting a quarterback early, but I'm not sure they'll have the ammunition to trade up for one," Jeremiah wrote. "With Danielle Hunter heading for free agency, they address the need for pass-rush help." 

Standing at six-foot-four, Turner's mixture of speed and athleticism could make him a terror coming off the edge for the Vikings. Last season with the Crimson Tide, he recorded career highs in sacks (10.0), tackles (53) and tackles for loss (14.5), earning the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award and consensus All-American status. 

Meanwhile, Turner makes sense for the Vikings from an analytical point of view. The latest mock draft from Cynthia Frelund of NFL Network, which analyzes free agent information and market values to project which player increases a team's win total the most, sees the Alabama standout as the best fit for Minnesota. 

"Turner's bust ranks among the top 20% of edge prospects in my 10-season sample. He doesn't lose speed/velocity when traveling in a non-straight line, which means his pressures cause disruption more frequently," Frelund wrote. "I'm pretty sure defensive coordinator Brian Flores would give GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah a hand-written thank-you note if Turner ends up the choice here." 

The Vikings have nine selections in this year's draft, with only two over the first three rounds (No. 11 and No. 42). So, while they may desire one of the top quarterbacks of the class, they're likely staying put at No. 11. Though, if a QB doesn't fall in their laps, a player of Turner's caliber isn't a bad consolation prize.