DJ Turner NFL Draft Overview
Position: Cornerback
Height: 5′-11″
Weight: 180 pounds
School: Michigan
2023 NFL Draft: DJ Turner Scouting Report
In his first season in Ann Arbor, DJ Turner appeared in four games for the Wolverines, all on special teams. In his second season, which was the 2020 Covid-19 shortened season, Turner appeared in four out of Micigan’s six games. He played on special teams in all four games and had an appearance in the secondary for the first time in his college career.
During the 2021 season, Turner appeared in all 14 games, including eight starts at cornerback. He had 33 total tackles (26 solo, seven assisted), two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, and defended against seven passes. In his final season the Great Lakes State, Turner started all 14 games at corner and increased his number of overall tackles from the previous season, recording 36 (27 solo, nine assisted), while also recovering a fumble, making an interception, and defending against 10 passes.
Strengths
- Monitors quarterback, while staying with his receiver throughout the route;
- Sound, smooth, and efficient biomechanics;
- Is always in tight coverage with the receiver even on deep routes;
- Natural athlete;
- Hits hard, like a safety.
Weaknesses
- Below NFL cornerback average height; poses difficulty in getting to the high ball;
- Tackling technique needs work; does not wrap up opponent;
- Is often overpowered by bigger, physical, wide receivers;
- Does not have great jumping ability;
- Does not break down, and maintain his center of gravity after the receiver has caught the ball to be in a position to tackle them.
NFL Comparison: Dane Jackson
Teams With Need At Position: Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Commanders
Projection: Rounds 3-4
Bottom Line on DJ Turner
Turner has some qualities that will definitely appeal to NFL teams. He monitors a quarterback while not losing sight of his receiver during the duration of the pass route. He is a natural athlete who has sound and fluid biomechanical movements. Turner is also a very physical, hard-hitter who delivers blows more like a safety than a cornerback.
What may deter some NFL teams from using a pick to take Turner is the fact that he is below the NFL average in height for cornerbacks, which would not be an issue if he had great jumping ability, which he does not. His lack of dynamic jumping ability hinders his ability to fight for contested balls against larger opponents. Turner will also need to work on his tackling technique if he is going to stay for an extended duration in the NFL.
Turner is notorious for not wrapping up his opponent and instead tries to use his hard-hitting abilities to knock the ball carrier down, which is frequently unsuccessful. He also does not break down to get his center of gravity in order to make a tackle once a receiver has made a catch and therefore is eluded by the receiver who then picks up more yards. Turner also needs to up his physicality and aggression when playing against bigger, more physical receivers, who tend to push him around. DJ Turner’s upside outweighs his perceived downfalls, which is why a team will pick him in the third or fourth round in a couple of weeks during the NFL Draft.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
