Recent 2024 rookie predictions should infuriate stellar Vikings draft pick

Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard
Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard / Brandon Sumrall/GettyImages
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Coming out of this year's OTAs for the Minnesota Vikings, one of the rookies that stood out the most was kicker Will Reichard. Drafted in the sixth round by the Vikings back in April, Reichard has the potential to be the franchise's answer to their never-ending ugly relationship with kickers.

So, given the success he had during Minnesota's OTAs and in his college career at Alabama, it was a bit surprising to find out that the young kicker wasn't included in some recent predictions for the 2024 NFL All-Rookie Team made by NFL.com's Chad Reuter.

Instead, Reuter went with Jacksonville Jaguars rookie kicker Cam Little, who was selected nine picks after Reichard in the sixth round of this year's NFL Draft. During his college career at Arkansas, Little made 82.8 percent of his field-goal attempts (Reichard made 84 percent).

Minnesota Vikings first-round pick predicted to make 2024 NFL All-Rookie Team

While Reichard was left off of Reuter's predictions, Vikings rookie edge rusher Dallas Turner was not. Selected by Minnesota with its second first-round pick in this year's draft, Turner and Jared Verse of the Los Angeles Rams were the two edge rushers included in Reuter's predictions for the 2024 All-Rookie Team.

The NFL.com draft analyst shared why he believes the young Vikings pass rusher has the potential to be one of the best defensive rookies in the league next season.

"I suspect Turner will be a defensive force for the Vikings by the midway point of his rookie campaign, possibly starting the year as a designated pass rusher (and ultimately approaching a double-digit sack total) but eventually proving he’s able to drop into zones and fight tackles playing the run."

Unlike Minnesota's other 2024 first-round pick, quarterback J.J. McCarthy, Turner is likely going to get the opportunity to play right away next season. As Reuter mentioned, it could be a limited role at first, but he definitely has the potential to be on the field for the majority of the Vikings' defensive snaps by the time the team begins the second half of their 2024 schedule.

Expectations will be high for Turner next season, as Minnesota will be hoping he can help make up for the departure of multi-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Danielle Hunter earlier this year.

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