Vikings Eye Lineman in Talks Before Texas A&M Pro Day!
Minnesota is openly signaling who they plan to focus on in the 2025 NFL Draft. This offseason, the Vikings have concentrated on revamping their defensive line by securing two-year contracts with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.
Despite these additions, Minnesota is still in need of young talent for the long term. On Friday, Sportskeeda NFL Draft analyst Tony Pauline shared that the Vikings were among seven teams present at Texas A&M’s Pro Day to scout the defensive linemen there.
Pauline also mentioned that the Vikings were one of four teams that had in-depth meetings with defensive lineman Shemar Turner prior to Texas A&M’s Pro Day. Turner also met with the Cowboys, Jets, and Dolphins. Based on impressions from the Pro Day, Pauline believes Turner could be a candidate for a first-round pick. He described Turner as “fluid, smooth, and able to move around the field with ease.”
Over the past four years at Texas A&M, Turner made a significant impact, recording 115 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and three forced fumbles in 43 career games. Although his sack total dropped in 2024, he set a career-high in tackles with 36.
Since the 2020 NFL Draft, the Vikings have chosen 10 defensive linemen. Last year’s first-round pick, Dallas Turner, played more as a versatile player rather than a traditional defensive lineman, yet still managed to record three sacks and five quarterback hits in 2024. The defensive line remains a key area of need for Minnesota, and the Vikings could have the opportunity to draft Shemar Turner in the first or second round, which would help strengthen the team’s depth heading into 2025.
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