The moment from the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft went viral as soon as the Vikings posted it on social media.

The dust had barely settled inside the war room at TCO Performance Center following the selection of future franchise quarterback J.J. McCarthy when general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah started working the phones with hopes of making another big splash.

A particular prospect was falling and Adofo-Mensah knew the Vikings couldn’t wait much longer if they wanted to have a chance at him. So, he called up the Jacksonville Jaguars, who were already on the clock, and he tried to make a deal.

After going back and forth for a brief period of time, Adofo-Mensah hung up the phone, nodded in the direction of head coach Kevin O’Connell, then delivered the news that the Vikings were, in fact, trading up to get highly touted edge rusher Dallas Turner.

The reaction from O’Connell was priceless. His eyes widened in disbelief. His jaw nearly hit the floor. His vocabulary was reduced to a single word. “Really?”

Vikings first-round draft picks J.J. McCarthy, center left, and Dallas Turner, center right, are joined by team owner Zygi Wilf, from left, head coach Kevin O’Connell, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and president Mark Wilf, right, as the team introduces them during a news conference at TCO Performance Center in Eagan on Friday, April 26, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Nearly six months later, the Vikings maintain they are still very excited about Turner, even if his recent playing time might suggest otherwise.

“He’s doing everything from a standpoint of his preparation and growth on a daily basis that we’re asking of him,” O’Connell said. “You’ll see more and more of Dallas, and I’m very, very excited about having him as part of our team.”

Though he was expected to play an important role for the Vikings, especially after looking the part and recording a sack in his NFL debut, Turner has instead seen his snap counts steadily decrease over the past month. He only played five defensive snaps in the loss to the Detroit Lions, for example, and only three defensive snaps in the loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Not that Turner seems too concerned. He has tried to find the silver lining in his experience, like being able to gain knowledge from watching veterans like edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, who is ranked near the top of the NFL in pressures, and edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, who has been a human highlight reel.

“Everybody sees first-rounders and expects them to go play and stuff like that,” Turner said. “I’m just so happy to be in a good organization where I get to sit back and learn and see for myself.”

That willingness to learn is something that defensive coordinator Brian Flores highlighted about Turner when his snap counts were brought up this week.

“He’s done a great job,” Flores said. “He’s a young player with a bright future.”

In that same breath, Flores preached the importance of patience when it comes to Turner, referencing the path star defensive tackle Cam Heyward took with the Pittsburgh Steelers early in his career. It was similar in that Heyward was selected in the first round and played sparingly as he sat behind veteran defensive tackle Casey Hampton and veteran defensive tackle Brett Keisel.

“He took in all that information and when he got out there he made the most of his opportunity,” Flores said. “I think it ended up pretty good for him.”

That’s exactly how Turner is approaching his situation with Greenard and Van Ginkel. He remembers being in college at the University of Alabama and watching their film in an attempt to perfect his craft. Now he’s getting to see it in person on a daily basis.

“I’ve learned how to be a professional and do things the right way,” Turner said. “I know in 15 years I’m going to be looking back at when I was a rookie like, ‘Dang, I had some great vets to show me the way.’ I’m grateful for that.”

The irony is as much as Turner has been able to learn from Greenard and Van Ginkel, their presence might be the biggest reason he has struggled to get on the field.

Sometimes it’s hard to get Turner in when Greenard and Van Ginkel are dominating as much as they have been.

“He’s in a room that’s got some really good, productive players,” Flores said. “We’re going to get him in a little bit more.”

That could happen sooner rather than later with the Vikings set to host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night at U.S. Bank Stadium.

What can people expect from Turner if he does get an opportunity to shine under the lights?

“He’s always ready to go,” Greenard said. “I know he’s going to kill it whenever he does get that chance.”

Those feelings are echoed by pretty much all of his teammates whenever Turner comes up in casual conversation. Never mind that he hasn’t been able to carve out a niche for himself quite yet. He’s only 21 years old. and his ceiling still seems to be limitless.

“We’re going to continue to see Dallas have an impact,” O’Connell said. “He’s going to be an absolute monster for us.”

As for that peek behind the curtain during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, O’Connell is well aware that he went viral, and he had no problem doubling down on his sentiments.

“I’m more excited about him now than I was even when we drafted him,” O’Connell said. “Everybody knows it’s been well documented my response to when we drafted him.”

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