Dallas Turner Solidified EDGE1 Spot At 2024 NFL Combine

Interior defensive linemen, EDGE rushers, and off-ball linebackers took the field on Thursday for the athletic testing portion of the NFL Combine. Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner was a clear winner who displayed otherworldly abilities. Turner's results likely cemented him as the top-ranking pass rusher in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Turner first won the weigh-in process by measuring in at 6-foot-2 and 247 pounds with arms longer than 34 inches and an 83-inch wingspan. The wingspan was especially notable and placed Turner in the 89th percentile historically among all EDGE defenders. 

Turner then saved the most impressive portion of his participation for the field. He ran the 40-yard dash in a blazing-fast 4.46 seconds. Athletically, that result places in the 97th percentile among his peers. Turner was flat-out FLYING. It was the fastest result among all outside linebackers and defensive ends and was only bested by inside linebacker Payton Wilson, who ran a 4.43. It’s worth noting Wilson weighs 14 pounds (233) less than Turner.

The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native then vertically jumped a Thursday-best 40.5 inches. Turner’s 10-foot-7 broad jump tied for second-best among all EDGE defenders, trailing Jalyx Hunt and Chop Robinson by the tiniest of margins (10-foot-8). Those results place Turner in the 97th and 93rd percentile, respectively. Turner scored a Relative Athletic Score of 9.49 out of 10, ranking 85 of 1,637 defensive ends from 1987 to 2024.

Although Turner was already considered the slight favorite, the EDGE1 title remained up for grabs entering Thursday's on-field drills. Turner's athletic testing likely solidified him as the top edge defender off the board in April. With the tape and proven production now matching the athleticism, scouts shouldn't possess any lingering questions over Turner's capabilities.

Turner enjoyed an outstanding 2023 campaign for the Crimson Tide. He totaled career-highs in sacks (11), tackles for loss (15.5), tackles (53), and forced fumbles (two) en route to consensus First-Team All-American honors and was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Turner was an unstoppable force that came screaming off the edge.

Turner possesses all of the physical tools to develop into a consistently impactful edge defender at the next level. First-step explosiveness to threaten the outside shoulder of offensive tackles and win the arc constantly pops on film. Alabama utilized Turner in a variety of alignments based on formation and he routinely executed his assignments. Recording double-digit sacks on an annual basis is well within the realm of possibility.

The same speed that allowed Turner to run a breathtaking 40 is showcased when studying the in-game results. Turner is a fluid mover who changes direction effortlessly when making sideline-to-sideline plays. Natural athleticism is present.

Turner entered the NFL Combine as most teams' No. 1 ranked defender and pass-rusher. He'll exit Indianapolis with little-to-no concerns over his potential and athletic profile. Turner established himself as the 2024 NFL Draft's top-ranked EDGE player. Expect Turner to be drafted within the opening 10 selections in April.