The Minnesota Vikings‘ apparently had their eyes on a defensive addition on Day 2 of the NFL draft but were unable to select him ahead of the Chicago Bears.
Chicago executed a trade with the Buffalo Bills involving multiple picks, though the portion of the transaction relative to the Vikings involved swapping the No. 41 pick for two later selections in the second round (Nos. 56 and 62). Chicago used the latter of those assets to take defensive tackle Shemar Turner of Texas A&M.
Alec Lewis of The Athletic reacted to the news on social media.
“Bears snag Shemar Turner, who was never going to make it to No. 97 for the Vikings,” Lewis said. “Now have to see him twice a year.”
Minnesota could have tried to trade up in an attempt to land Turner, but the Vikings entered the draft with only four picks and either couldn’t move up or decided it wasn’t the right value play.
Vikings Were Interested in Adding Even More to Defensive Line After Free Agency
Dane Brugler of The Athletic had high praise for Turner following the Bears’ maneuvering to add him.
“Turner needs to introduce more discipline to his play style, but he prides himself on being the aggressor and relies on his initial twitch, fierce hands and combative mentality to be a factor,” Brugler said, per Kevin Fishbain.
Turner produced 69 tackles, including 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks and three forced fumbles across 24 games played over his last two years of college football.
Turner’s addition to the Vikings’ roster would have been significant alongside the free-agent acquisitions of defensive tackles Jonathan Allen, a two-time Pro Bowler, and Javon Hargrave.
Vikings Focused on Offense Through First 2 Days of NFL Draft
Minnesota also added two offensive linemen to the roster during free agency: right guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly, both previously of the Indianapolis Colts.