Dallas Turner

Career StatsC+

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		33	86	11.0	1
2025		17	66	8.0	0
2024		16	20	3.0	1

Updated Jun 23, 2026

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Performance versus salary tier earns Dallas Turner a C Contract Value Index, with cap structure shaping the verdict. Turner's 2025 season of 66 tackles and 8 sacks across 17 games represents a meaningful step forward for a second-year edge rusher still operating within his rookie scale deal at $3.9M AAV, though the performance grade of C+ reflects solid production rather than elite impact. On the open market, a 23-year-old linebacker with two seasons of tape and emerging late-season momentum would command significantly more than his current rookie-scale slot, but Turner hasn't yet produced the consistent, overwhelming pressure metrics that would justify a premium valuation. The Vikings signed linebacker Jake Golday this offseason, which signals the organization remains in developmental mode at the position rather than betting everything on Turner as an immediate anchoring force. What saves this contract from a lower grade is the team's clear investment narrative: media coverage frames Turner's breakthrough as validation of Minnesota's patience, positioning him as a foundational defensive piece moving forward, and the trajectory from a patient development arc to genuine impact suggests he'll earn a more expansive role going forward. The four-year, fully-guaranteed rookie deal structure carries minimal downside risk, making this an excellent value floor if Turner's momentum continues through year three.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Dallas's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Dallas Turner, a second-year linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings, is a developmental prospect showing encouraging signs of progression after a rough rookie campaign. The 23-year-old is posting a C+ grade this season, a meaningful step forward from his D-rated 2024, suggesting he's beginning to grasp the NFL's pace and physicality. Turner remains a work-in-progress with significant upside, but his trajectory will determine whether he becomes a reliable starter or depth contributor in Minnesota's defense. Turner's current-season metrics reveal a player excelling at run defense while struggling in coverage. He's averaging 3.88 tackles per game, well above the NFL average of 2.19, and his 0.47 sacks per game places him in elite territory compared to the 0.15 league average. His 0.41 tackles for loss per game also exceeds the 0.27 benchmark, indicating he's consistently disruptive near the line of scrimmage. However, his pass defense remains a concern—0.18 passes defended per game matches the league average exactly, suggesting he lacks the instinctive range or ball skills that separate elite off-ball linebackers from competent ones. Turner's elite sack production and above-average run-stopping form a promising foundation, but he must develop his coverage ability to become a three-down contributor. If he continues his upward trend and demonstrates improvement in the passing game next season, he could evolve into Minnesota's defensive centerpiece. Watch closely for whether his 2025 gains stick or if he reverts to 2024 form under increased competitive pressure.

How Dallas Compares at the Position

Dallas Turner ranks 127th of 339 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Dallas between Malcolm Rodriguez (C+) just ahead and Jack Sanborn (C+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Dallas Turner enters 2026 as a depth linebacker with modest career production (11 sacks, 4 forced fumbles over two seasons) on a reasonable $3.9M contract, positioning him squarely in the role-player tier. Media coverage is decidedly mixed: while PFF has named him to their predicted All-Breakout Team and an NFL analyst recently praised his development, competing narratives suggest the Vikings are actively recruiting veteran competition and that his market value has declined. The inclusion on breakout lists and positive analyst commentary provide meaningful upside signals, yet the simultaneous reporting of the team seeking a veteran OLB replacement indicates organizational uncertainty about his 2026 role. Turner's perception hinges on whether he can validate the breakout narrative during training camp and preseason—a critical inflection point for a young edge defender seeking to move beyond backup status. Fan and media sentiment remains cautiously optimistic but contingent on on-field performance, with no consensus that he has secured a featured role in Minnesota's defensive scheme.