The Minnesota Vikings entered Day 2 of the NFL Draft eyeing a major boost for their defensive line. But instead of adding the disruptive talent they had targeted, they watched a division rival swoop in and snatch him away.
The Chicago Bears pulled off a savvy trade with the Buffalo Bills, moving down from the No. 41 pick in exchange for a pair of second-round selections (Nos. 56 and 62). It was with the latter pick that Chicago selected defensive tackle Shemar Turner out of Texas A&M — the very player Minnesota had hoped might fall to them later in the draft.
Alec Lewis of The Athletic summed up the situation succinctly on social media:
“Bears snag Shemar Turner, who was never going to make it to No. 97 for the Vikings. Now have to see him twice a year.”
Minnesota could have made a more aggressive play to move up the board, but with just four total picks heading into the draft, the team faced a tough balancing act. In the end, the Vikings either couldn’t find the right trade partner or decided the cost was simply too steep.
Now, instead of bolstering their own defensive front, the Vikings will have to game-plan against Turner — not once, but twice every season — as he suits up for their longtime rivals in Chicago.
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