Minnesota Vikings DC compares Dallas Turner to Dont'a Hightower, another former Alabama star

The Vikings paid attention to both the offense and defense in the first round of the NFL Draft. First came quarterback J.J. McCarthy, then ace pass rusher Dallas Turner.

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores embraced the choice of Turner, the former Alabama standout. Most draft analysts projected Turner as a top 10 pick, possibly going to the Falcons at No. 8. But Atlanta shook up the first round when the team opted for quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

So Turner tumbled all the way to No. 17 and only the third defensive player off the board. Of course everyone wants to know about the newest draft pick. These selections are all shiny and new and have yet to make a game-changing mistake.

Flores already has a ready answer for the best player comparison to Turner. And the newest Vikings player, coincidentally, wore the same college football jersey. Roll Tide.

“The name that comes to mind, and he was another Alabama player, is Dont’a Hightower,” Flores said in an interview with Tatum Everett. “Big, fast, physical, great traits and intangibles, leadership. That’s the name that comes to mind. I would say he’s probably a little faster than Hightower.”

"When you look at Dallas and his intangibles, and just everything about him, does he remind you of anyone that you've coached?" Asked @tatumeverett.#Vikings DC Brian Flores where he was going with this one,

"The name that comes to mind and he was another Alabama player, is… pic.twitter.com/YMZDd1i2UF

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) May 7, 2024

Flores joined the Vikings last year. But his first professional coaching job was with the Patriots. Back in 2012, New England selected Hightower in the first round of the draft. Flores worked with him for seven seasons. And during that time, the two won three Super Bowl rings. Plus, Hightower earned spots in two Pro Bowls.

Flores left the Patriots to become head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2019. Meanwhile, Hightower finished his career as a player after the 2021 season. He’s now an assistant for new Patriots coach Jerod Mayo.

The Vikings targeted Turner, trading up four spots to select him at No. 19. It cost them four draft picks to bring him to Minnesota.

They need him because they lost Danielle Hunter in free agency. Hunter is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. He’s posted double-digit sacks in five of his past seven seasons. Hunter signed with the Texans, which coincidentally is coached by DeMeco Ryans, another former Alabama great.

The Vikings also lost linebackers D.J. Wonnum and Marcus Davenport after free agency. Minnesota signed Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel to fill those roster spots.

But they need a fierce pass rusher. They’re confident Turner can fill the role.