DJ Turner CB Michigan | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
DJ Turner CB Michigan
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Last Updated: 03/12/2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.26 seconds (99%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||
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*Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine
historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance).
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| Last Updated: 03/12/2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.26 seconds (99%*) | ||||||||||||||||
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*Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine
historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance).
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| Overall Rating: | 85.9 / 100 | |
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| Game performance weighted rating | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 62.1 | |
| Tackling: |
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84% |
| Run Defense: |
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78% |
| Coverage: |
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84% |
| Zone: |
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78% |
| Man/Press: |
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83% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Late
Overall Rank:
#58
Position rank:
#11
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| College Games: 28 College Snaps: 1311 | ||
ESPN RATING: 81/100
College Combine Results
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OVR Rank:
#138
Pos Rank:
#22
State Rank:
#41
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 89/100
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| Ovr Rank: #400 Pos Rank: #40 | ||
Draft Profile: Bio
DJ Turner attended IMG Academy High School and was rated a 3-star prospect by 247 Sports with a scout's rating of 0.890 Following high school, Turner opted to join Michigan after being heavily recruited.In 2020 as a freshman Turner saw action in just one game and played a total of 11 snaps at cornerback for the Wolverines.
As a sophomore in 2021 he played in 14 games and logged 620 snaps for the Wolverines. He made 34 tackles, 4 assists, and had 7 stops. In coverage he totaled 8 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and an elite QB rating when targetted of just 54.8.
In 2022 as a junior Turner played in 13 games and contributed on 680 snaps. He chalked up 28 tackles, 7 assists, and added 5 stops. In the secondary Turner forced 7 pass breakups, one interception, and gave up QB rating when targetted of 65.5.
Honors & awards
- Two-time All-Big Ten selection (second team coaches; third team media, 2022; honorable mention, coaches and media, 2021)
- Shared Most Improved Player (Defense) honors and Defensive Skill Player of the Year honors in 2021
- Appeared in 36 games including 28 in the secondary with 22 starts
- Four-year letterman (2019-20-21-22)
- 247.com three-star prospect, rated No. 409 overall, the 41st-best cornerback recruit nationally and the 53rd-ranked player in Florida
- ESPN four-star recruit, ranked No. 21 nationally at cornerback and the No. 43 prospect in Florida
- Rivals three-star recruit, the nation’s 53rd-best cornerback prospect and rated the No. 81 recruit in Florida
- Earned all-county, all-region and all-state in 2017
- Named Defensive Player of the Game in the 2017 state championship game
- Participated in the finals of Nike The Opening in Frisco, Texas; named one of the 20 most athletic recruits in the camp
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Super athletic corner who was outstanding during his final two years at Michigan where he allowed a QB rating when targeted of 62.2
- Can get up on the line of scrimmage and deliver a solid punch early in routes, then use that quickness to shadow, or back off and close quickly when the ball comes out
- Turner can flip his hips and run, with good top-end speed and the length to make plays on the ball.
- Can run and blanket even the fastest receivers deep - possess great instincts along with timing
- Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List - ranked #31. He wrote, "He is the fastest guy on the Wolverines, having hit 23.07 mph on the GPS and run a 4.28 40 — out of a two-point stance, no less. His 3-cone time is even more stunning. He clocked a 6.29 this offseason, and strength coaches think he has a good shot at besting the combine record of 6.28, set in 2018 by Oklahoma’s Jordan Thomas. "
- Considering his his somewhat slight frame he's excellent and sturdy tackler and consistently wraps up ball carriers
- Has the fluidity, speed, and quick feet to come down and defend slot receivers in man coverage. Turner also does a nice job breaking down in space as a tackler after the catch.
- Has the change-of-direction ability to mirror underneath but did solid work out of press/man coverage.
- Does a good job getting his head around in time when playing with his back to the line of scrimmage. Has the ability to cover quickness underneath.
- Has a high football IQ and studies the QB's eyes enabling him to actively jump routes
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Much better man corner - not very comfortable in zone especially when asked to guard the middle
- Feet aren’t ideal, as Turner gets sloppy in his backpedal and can look sluggish when transitioning to close on the ball.
- Has only a limited overall length - will struggle against taller receivers, especially in jump ball situations. Can be a liability in the red zone
- Not much of a ball hawk - has made just 3 interceptions throughout his college career
- Scouts will likely see him as a nickel or slot coverage-only corner as he's not big enough to hold up on the edge - despite playing the outside role in college
- He may draw plenty of flags early on with his playing style. Turner is hesitant when facing the action in zone coverage.
Scouting Report: Summary
DJ Turner is a super athletic, speedy corner who'll most likely put up crazy numbers at the combine. He's much more than just a twitchy athlete however as he's put up two impressive years at Michigan even against top competition while demonstrating excellent press/man skills. Turner is far from a finished product, as he's small for a corner and possesses only average overall length and catch radius as well as looking pretty raw when targeted in zone coverage. Despite these reservations, his upside is significant and can't be overlooked - he'll not last past the start of the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.DJ Turner percentiles vs other Cornerback's (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
DJ Turner Three Minute Video Review
Courtesy of NFL Draft Buzz contributor Steven Wright
How other scouting services rate DJ Turner (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
73.2
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
19.0