Prospect Profile: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

Context

Plays almost exclusively outside, most often as a 7 technique mixing between a 3 and 2 point stance.

Pass Rush

He Is twitchy and explosive and it shows up in a big way in how he gets off the ball and challenges the OL within the first few steps of his rush. He has outstanding acceleration and speed and he deploys it in getting upfield quickly. His second and third step are quicker than his first step and he accelerates into contact. He has great bend and hip mobility so he’s able to dip his shoulder and take the edge as well as soften angles to roll through a half man. He keys the ball well and it doesn’t matter greatly the down and distance or game situation. He has the beginnings of a good pass rush plan but he can make some missteps and pre-meditate a move that will clearly not work once the rep starts; he needs to be more flexible in-game to respond to what the OT is showing him.

He also has a tendency to keep going back to the well on a move that worked for him early in a game, even when the OT appears to be adjusting to it. He could be quicker to move off it and keep the OL off balance. He also won’t always select the best counter when his initial move doesn’t hit like he intends it to. But these are all small detail improvements that he can make at the next level. He was a very successful pass-rusher in college, and the foundation for it are his excellent hands, which are quick, well-timed and have remarkable power in them. But for a smaller guy, he plays with exceptional pad level and therefore leverage, maximizing his play strength. This isn’t better showcased than in his long-arm move which is deadly. He shoots his hand like a piston and then can lever the OT off the ground with it and finish at the apex of the rush by turning the OT and flattening to the QB. He does have a good bull and pull as well as a solid speed to power move. He can work a jump chop and cross chop to get him around the outside but it’s actually his power moves that are more effective and his go-to move. He marries his feet with his hands well and utilizes his lateral explosion to set up his outside and inside moves. He has outstanding bend and corners very effectively.

Vs Run

Against the run he also gets off the ball well no matter the situation, and he continues to showcase his excellent hand usage. Again, the leverage he plays with, as well as his hand placement, timing and power, helps him to set a solid edge. He reads both Zone and Gap runs equally effectively. When he’s play-side against Zone, he can constrict running lanes against those OL with solid play strength and compete/hold his own with those bigger OTs with more play strength. He can also disengage and tackle the ball in his gap. On the backside of Zone plays, he will deploy his speed and relentless pursuit to make plays near the line of scrimmage from behind – he’s a nightmare on the backside for heavier Zone teams. When he sees Inside Zone or Duo, he makes calculated gambles and gets off his block to get inside and make a play on the ball. He sees pullers coming his way in Gap runs and can defeat the block to make a play on the ball. His pursuit is outstanding.

SUMMARY
Stupidly athletic, but can convert his speed to power, has an excellent long-arm move. Dangerous pass-rusher and good run defender – good processor and elite hand usage.

PRODUCTION
JR: 11 Sacks, 11 QB hits, 35 Total Tackles, 2 FF
SO: 5 Sacks, 11 QB hits, 32 total tackles
INJURY: None

RAVENS FIT
Athleticism 5
Intelligence 5
Versatility 4
Grit 5
Scheme 5