The Chicago Bears hosted Alabama pass rusher Dallas Turner on a pre-draft visit. Turner's visit occurred on Wednesday according to a report from Courtney Cronin. Turner is a potential target for general manager Ryan Poles with the No. 9 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Turner developed into a dominant pass rusher for the Crimson Tide this past season. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native recorded career highs in sacks (11) and tackles for loss (15.5). As a result, Turner is widely expected to be the first defensive player drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Turner confirmed his expected draft weekend positioning by posting breathtaking testing results at the NFL Combine. The Alabama standout ran the 40-yard dash in a lightning-quick 4.46 seconds. Turner displayed elite lower-body explosion by leaping a 40.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-7 broad jump.
Turner possesses all of the physical tools required to develop into a consistently impactful pass rusher in the NFL. Turner's first-step explosiveness gives him terrific bend to turn the corner and win the arc against offensive tackles. He consistently wins the leverage battle to get into the backfield.
The Bears will enter the 2024 NFL Draft searching for effective pass rushers to pair with Montez Sweat. Chicago recorded a 31st-ranked 30 sacks throughout the 2023 campaign. Acquiring Sweat in a midseason trade was a step in the right direction, but the roster still lacks an every-down starter opposite him. Yannick Ngakoue isn't on the roster, and DeMarcus Walker totaled just 3.5 sacks last season.
Now that he's completed an in-person visit with the franchise, Turner may be the favorite for Chicago's No. 9 overall pick.
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