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University of Michigan Athletics

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: CB DJ Turner


Big Board ranking: #47

Positional ranking: #8

 

Overview

Position: CB

College: Michigan

Class: Junior (RS)

Age: 22

 

Measurables

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 178 lbs.

Arm length: 30 3/4″

Hand size: 9 5/8”

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: 4.26 sec.

10-yard split: 1.47 sec.

Vertical jump: 38.5”

Broad jump: 131.0”

Bench press: N/A

3-cone drill: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

 

Strengths

Elite speed and athleticism. Tremendous acceleration/burst. Feet are light and quiet in man coverage. Excellent ability to pattern releases. Good strength when he jams opponents. Will check with his hands throughout the route without grabbing. Exceptional overall technique. Outstanding play recognition and instincts in coverage. Will communicate and call things out before and during plays. Great breaking on the ball and getting a hand in at the catch point. Very aware in zone coverage. Terrific feel for when to handoff on matchup zone concepts. Very good understanding of spacing to play route combinations as the underneath zone defender. Extremely fast to recognize and react to slants from off coverage. Uses speed/twitch to work through traffic on pick plays. Fast and decisive in run support. Willing tackler that usually gets the job done. Played both sides and saw action in the slot. Has experience on special teams. Played great versus Purdue wide receiver Charlie Jones in the Big Ten Championship Game (2022).

 

Weaknesses

Lacks ideal build and length on the outside. Delayed transitioning to cover vertical routes from both press and off coverage. Allows separation on in-breaking routes. Loses a step and trails too often considering his speed. Has some trouble locating and playing downfield passes. Lacks strength as a tackler and will get dragged some. Struggles to get free from blocks.

 

NFL comparison

Denzel Ward

 

Conclusion

Overall, Turner is an extremely fast press cornerback with great ability to match wide receivers early in routes. The scheme versatility and athletic upside should make him a potential early second-round pick.