Dallas Turner is poised for a breakout season for the Vikings. After the trade of Jonathan Greenard to the Eagles this offseason, the young pass rusher is going to take over Greenard's role as the other half of the Vikings' aggressive defense to come off the edge.
Nationally, Turner has remained under wraps in terms of folks taking notice. However, one analyst is taking notice and included him in his breakout candidates for the season.
CBS Sports' Carter Bahns wrote up his defensive team breakout candidates, and the former Crimson Tide defender was included alongside Abdul Carter among the pass rush options. He writes, "The games Jonathan Greenard missed in 2025 offered Dallas Turner the opportunity to shine. With Greenard out of the picture,
Turner can be expected to fill a larger role on the Vikings' defensive front. The former No. 17 overall pick accumulated 42 pressures in what was a step-forward second season in Minnesota and logged career highs in every major defensive category. He is on an obvious upward trajectory and now has a path to an every-week starting job, which should take him to even greater heights. Double-digit sacks are well within the realm of possibility for Turner."
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores slowly brings in younger players, including Turner. In 2026, the reins are coming off, and he will be expected to be another agent of chaos for the former head coach turned defensive mastermind in Minnesota.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings pass rusher considered a breakout candidate for 2026
