College:  North Dakota State 

Height:  6’5”

Weight:  316 

Positives 

Size and Strength:  With incredible strength and an 81-inch wingspan, Turner has the length and power to pop his opponent with a stunning initial jolt, and then drive his opponent backwards to seal the play.  That long wingspan helps him get his arms extended in both the run and pass, for push and reach blocks, making him a highly effective blocker at both the first, and second level.    

Punisher: The first thing you notice when flipping on Turner’s tape is his physical prowess, with his long arms and a massive upper-body frame where he generates his huge power.  Now, so far thats no different than many other top tier offensive line prospects, but what sets Turner apart from others is what he does with that brut strength.  Turner is a man on a mission almost every snap of the game, set to seek-and-destroy his competition, any way he can, within the rules of the game of course.  Turner is far from a dirty player, but plays with a mean streak, like the school bully out for some extra lunch money.  A true punisher with an appetite for contact, Turner displays outstanding toughness, and fights through the whistle.  With games often decided in the trenches, Tuner is a coaches dream, with his mean yet energetic on the field demeanor.   

Negatives 

Edge Troubles:   When I headed down to the Senior Bowl Turner was one of the few prospects I was most excited to get a first hand glimpse at.  However, it didn’t take long to realize this division two prospect was clearly in a different world he had not yet adjusted to.  Tuner has plenty to gush about, but getting off the snap quickly and mirroring quick edge rushers will never be his forte.  Guys like Dee Ford, Christian Jones, and Kyle Van Noy had Turner’s head spinning out of the gate during the first day of practice, and from there seemed to lose his confidence in himself when lined up on the outside.  Something I wouldn’t feel comfortable with would be leaving him alone in a large space, based off his slow reaction time off the edge.  

Lack of Competition:  The biggest question mark any lower level division prospect trying to make it big will face, is can he produce at the same level against the big boys.  Again, when Turner showed up to the Senior Bowl, many were excited to see how he handled himself against the most talented players he had ever faced.  Unfortunately, Turner struggled against the speed guys off the edge early and often, and from there is was clear Turner never fully regained his confidence back.  How big of a factor scouts will let that week play into their full evaluation is a mystery, however one can only assume it raised more questions than answers.  

NFL Comparison:  Brandon Brooks, Houston Texans 

Much like Brooks, Turner is a phenomenal run blocker, who excels at getting too the second level and punishing his opponent.  What he may lack in technique, he makes up for with overwhelming strength.   

Draft Outlook:  A deep class of offensive lineman will push Turner down the totem poll farther than he should, but that won’t stop him from slipping past the first three rounds.  Turner is too slow to play on the outside and will move into guard where he can maximize his talents.  Turner’s mean streak and aggressive attitude, combined with the fact that his bloodlines are streaming with NFL talent, with his dad playing running back for the vikings, and his brother playing linebacker for the Giants, will be far too much potential for teams with offensive line struggles to pass up on multiple times.  With pro-bowl potential, Turner has what it takes to do some big time damage in the NFL, and is why a late second round projection, even in a deep class, isn’t out of the question.  

Best Fits:  Again, keep in mind that Turner will be best suited inside at the guard position.  Looking at teams in heavy need of offensive line help that would welcome Turner with open arms towards the later half of the second round would be the Indianapolis Colts and the Carolina Panthers.  The Colts number one priority should be to protect their franchise quarterback, while the same can be said in Carolina, after the sudden retirement of Jordan Gross.  If Turner falls into the third round, teams like the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers all would be viable options, as Turner would fit a he need on top of being one of the best talents left on the board.