Chicago Bears hosted Alabama OLB Dallas Turner on pre-draft visit

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.

The busy week of top 30 visits rolls on for the Chicago Bears today when they host Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, per source. USC quarterback Caleb Williams was at Halas Hall Wednesday (as was Alabama DE Dallas Turner) for his top 30 and dined with Bears brass Tuesday…

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) April 4, 2024

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.

Dallas Turner is a DE prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.49 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 85 out of 1637 DE from 1987 to 2024.

Splits projectedhttps://t.co/X7XBHHYnU5 pic.twitter.com/yifaeEgv5F

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 1, 2024

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.