Entering training camp, the Minnesota Vikings were hoping edge rusher Dallas Turner would take the next step in his career, and the Baltimore Ravens got an early look at what that could mean. Over two joint practices, Turner repeatedly beat Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley and generated multiple would-be sacks.
Turner wasn't really able to pop as a rookie in 2024, but last season offered a much better indication of the kind of pass rusher he could be in the NFL. He went from three sacks in his rookie year to eight last season while filling in quite a bit for either Andrew Van Ginkel or Jonathan Greenard.
The Vikings don't have Greenard anymore after trading him to the Philadelphia Eagles, leaving the door open for Turner to become a full-time starter off the edge. So far, it's worked out pretty well, with Turner picking up right where he left off.
Minnesota Vikings saw the real Dallas Turner stand up at joint practice with Ravens
Between the two days, it was clear that Turner's speed coming off the edge was just too much for Stanley.
The Athletic’s Ravens reporter Jeff Zrebiec said Turner dominated the veteran left tackle on the second day of joint practice, winning more reps than anyone else.
"Brian Flores’ defense, which Baltimore wide receiver Rashod Bateman described as “chaotic,” showed the Ravens so many different blitzes and looks. The Ravens handled them a little better Thursday, but it was still a struggle. Vikings edge rusher Dallas Turner had at least three sacks while matched up against Ronnie Stanley, and the Ravens struggled to move the ball past midfield in the decisive two-minute situations at the end of practice."
Alec Lewis of The Athletic also noticed that Turner got the job done.
"It was Thursday afternoon at the TCO Performance Center, and here came Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Dallas Turner once again. The 2024 first-round pick blasted around the edge with so much speed that he looked powered by octane.
For the second straight day in joint practices against the Baltimore Ravens, Turner turnstiled Pro Bowl tackle Ronnie Stanley. His lengthy arms caused problems. His relentlessness made second efforts effective. His output generated so much noise on one of the practice fields that, every now and then, coaches and players peered over to see what caused the commotion."
According to Pro Football Focus, Turner got a 65.5 overall grade, ranking 63rd out of 115 edge rushers in the NFL last year. He had a pass-rush grade of 70.2 and a run-defense grade of 66.9.
Those stats don't reflect what Vikings saw throughout last year. Turner made drastic improvements to his game. While he may not be the best run stopper, he is turning into one of the better pass rushers in the NFL.
With the 2026 regular season about three weeks away, Turner has a chance to put the NFL on notice with a strong showing that could lead to big results. Last year was just the appetizer to the entrée that will make him a very rich man soon enough.
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