Michigan Corner DJ Turner Allows Large Throwing Windows

DJ Turner is a competitive and physical player for Michigan.

However, his physical limitations cause him to get beat too often in coverage.

Turner has good straight-line speed and he looks best while defending straight-line routes.

It’s the routes that feature breakpoints that are the problem.

Too often receivers were able to gain significant and consistent separation in these situations, especially at the intermediate route levels.

Turner fits best in a off-man or zone cover scheme

Despite the fact Turner plays his share of press man coverage at Michigan, by no means does he have what it takes to play in that scheme in the NFL.

Turner is physical enough in run support that he could make a solid zone corner, and he has good enough straight-line speed he could do well enough in a off-man scheme where he could keep the game more in front of him.

He has one gear building speed that he showed off against Penn State when he caught their quarterback from behind after coming across the field on a break-away run that covered over 50 yards.

Elite first-round corners possess traits Turner doesn’t have

Sports Illustrated and CBS mocking Turner into the first-round is what caused me to look at Turner.

I am not seeing what they are seeing.

He was much more of a tackle after the catch corner than a playmaker.

Yes, he did defend two passes in this three-game study when he was able to keep an eye on the backfield and and break back downhill in time.

Those plays were the exceptions, and not the norm.

First-round corners need a short-area burst, recovery speed, and better technique than Turner is showing.

He looked like he was out there chasing his own tail too often, and not in control of man coverage.

Good effort from Turner

I have to give credit to Turner for the effort he put forth.

He really tried hard, and that is something I pay close attention to.

I like that about him.

#5 DJ Turner 6-foot-0, 180 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: Fifth-Round – Fall 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Projected by 2.4% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of November 21, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: Penn State, Maryland and Iowa (click to watch games viewed to form this evaluation)

Level of competition: High

2022 stats (to date through 11 games): 25 tackles (5 assists), 8 passes defended, 1 INT.

NFL comparable: Amani Oruwariye

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Competitive straight-line speed corner with average flexibility and technique. Played press and off-man, as well as dropped into zone. Most effective when he is able to keep the game in front of him, otherwise he is too reactive and breakpoints give him trouble in the intermediate level. Did a good job of shadowing short routes. Good job covering fade routes in the end zone. Decent job maintaining route leverage deep, but doesn’t always look back for the ball. If he ends up trailing he is done. Creates some pressure blitzing, but doesn’t have the juice to create sacks even at the college level. Will stick his nose in on run support and he is a solid tackler. Contests what he can. A solid value developmental pick later in the draft.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

1. Does he show the ability to match breakpoints at the intermediate route level?
2. Does he demonstrate a short-area burst?
3. Does he show make-up speed deep?
4. What are his final stats for the season?

The bottom line in scouting is, can he or can’t he help a team win?

The answer is it will take coaching and patience to get him to the point he can help a team win as a starter.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.