Mel Kiper hints at potential first-round fit for Michigan’s DJ Turner

Michigan defensive back DJ Turner could end up selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper.

This isn’t the first time Turner made headlines involving the ESPN draft expert. After showcasing blazing speed at the NFL Scouting Combine, Kiper revisited the Wolverines’ corner’s tape from college.

After doing so last month, Kiper teased a projection of Turner in the first round to a familiar place.

“DJ Turner, cornerback Michigan,” Kiper said on SportsCenter. “DJ Turner ran great at the Combine, had a phenomenal two years at Michigan. Really liked him as a corner, could go late in the first round. You mentioned wide receiver for Baltimore, cornerback is a pressing need area for the Baltimore Ravens. I like that Michigan connection with DJ Turner as a possibility. I have Mock 4.0 coming out this Tuesday. I think you’ll see DJ Turner in my first round.”

Former Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald coaches under John Harbaugh, of course the brother of Jim. There is familiarity with the Ravens, so it makes sense for Baltimore to take a shot on a talented cornerback to beef up the defense.

Turner still needs some polish to his game. His speed can occasionally work against him as he overplays routes and he had moments where he got a little handsy or struggled to locate the ball. 

But the raw tools and upside are evident. In 27 games the last two seasons, Turner had three interceptions and 17 passes defensed along with 69 total tackles.

“I’m not afraid to admit when I need to go back to the tape on a prospect,” Kiper wrote after the combine. “I want to rewatch Turner’s past two seasons, because he hasn’t been ranked among my top 10 cornerbacks. I had him in the early Day 3 range headed into the week, but he’s going to rise now, thanks to a 4.26-second 40-yard dash, which is the fourth-fastest time at the combine since 2003. That is flying.”

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As a member of the Class of 2019, Turner was a four-star recruit out of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 44 overall prospect in the state, the No. 36 cornerback in the class and the No. 369 overall prospect in the class.