Wolverines in the NFL: DJ Turner starting to break out for Cincinnati Bengals
Former Michigan Wolverines football cornerback DJ Turner was a second-round pick this past spring and has been eased into a significant role with the Cincinnati Bengals to this point in his rookie season.
Turner is playing more and more by the week, though, and earned his first career start in Week 5, a 34-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals. He started again this past weekend, helping his team win a 17-13 game over the Seattle Seahawks. The Bengals started slow, losing three of their first four outings, but are now 3-3 and looking closer to the AFC contender they were supposed to be entering the season.
Turner has been targeted 15 times in coverage this season, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), and allowed just 5 receptions for 43 yards. He’s notched 2 pass breakups and added 12 tackles.
The former Michigan standout is allowing a 42.4 passer rating against him in coverage, which is the second-lowest among rookie cornerbacks in the league (minimum 50 coverage snaps).
Turner said his first start was “great” because the Bengals got the win. He’s been able to adjust from college to the pros in part because of the players he’s facing in practice, with Ja’Marr Chase being one of the top wideouts in the game.
“I wouldn’t say overwhelming,” Turner said of the transition. “When it comes to receivers, we got the best-receiving corps in the league. So if you get comfortable guarding them it definitely helps your confidence.”
Turner is sharing a secondary with former Michigan teammate Dax Hill, one of the Bengals’ starting safeties who’s also breaking out this year. He’s one of the top tacklers among NFL defensive backs, ranking sixth with 45 stops, and has 5 pass breakups and 2 interceptions in coverage.
Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in Week 6:
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Ronnie Bell (played at Michigan from 2018-22), WR, San Francisco 49ers
Did not record any stats in a 19-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns … Hauled in 3 receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown in six appearances for the 5-1 49ers.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), G, New York Giants
Started at center and allowed 2 pressures (per PFF) in a 14-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills Sunday night … Opened five games, two at left guard and three at center, for the 1-5 Giants.
Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Seattle Seahawks
Healthy but listed as inactive in the Seahawks’ 17-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals … Played in three games with one start for the 3-2 Seahawks, compiling 3 tackles.
Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB Seattle Seahawks
Attempted 2 rushes for 5 yards and brought in 2 catches for 14 yards in a 17-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals … Carried 23 times for 109 yards with a 15-yard long and reeled in 6 receptions for 36 yards in five appearances for the 3-2 Seahawks.
Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Commanders
Snapped in all six outings for the 3-3 Commanders.
Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, free agent
Released by the Denver Broncos after taking a pay reduction per his request … There’s mutual interest between he and his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs, with which he won two Super Bowls.
Mason Cole (2014-17), OL Pittsburgh Steelers
Had a bye over the weekend … Started at center in all five games for the 3-2 Steelers.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
Recorded 4 receptions for 80 yards while starting in a 20-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints … Leads the 3-3 Texans with 29 receptions, 547 receiving yards (eighth-most in the NFL) and 3 touchdown grabs while starting three of six clashes.
Michael Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Opened a 19-8 win over the Denver Broncos and tallied 1 tackle … Started all six games for the 5-1 Chiefs, totaling 19 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 5 quarterback hits and 2 pass breakups.
Chris Evans (2016-18, 20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Played 2 snaps on offense and 10 on special teams in a 17-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks … Notched 1 reception for minus-1 yard, attempted 2 rushes for 12 yards and returned a pair of kicks for 45 yards in four games for the 3-3 Bengals.
Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers
Had a bye … Started in one of his five appearances for the 2-3 Packers, posting 9 tackles, 4 stops for loss, 4.5 sacks and 7 quarterback hits … His 20 pressures rank tied for 16th among NFL edge rushers, per Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Detroit Lions
Opened a 20-6 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at right guard and allowed 2 pressures, posting a 78.6 PFF pass-blocking rating that ranked third on the team … Started four of six tilts at right guard for the 5-1 Lions … His 83.5 PFF run-blocking rating leads NFL guards (minimum 200 run-blocking snaps).
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
The former Michigan defensive end posted 2 tackles, a half-sack and a quarterback hit in a 20-14 setback to the New York Jets … Came off the bench in all six outings for the 5-1 Eagles, registering 5 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, a half-sack, 3 quarterback hits and a pass breakup.
Dax Hill (2019-21), S, Cincinnati Bengals
Second on the team with 8 tackles, adding a season-high 2 pass breakups, in a 17-13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks … Ranks sixth among NFL defensive backs with 45 total tackles, adding 4 behind the line of scrimmage, 1.5 sacks, 3 quarterback hits, 5 pass breakups and 2 interceptions in his second, breakout season in the league for the 3-3 Bengals.
Christopher Hinton (2019-21), DL, Los Angeles Chargers
Hasn’t appeared in a game yet for the 2-3 Chargers.
James Hudson (2017-18), OT, Cleveland Browns
Saw 4 offensive snaps and 6 special teams plays in a 19-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers … Seen action in four games off the bench for the 3-2 Browns.
Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Commanders
Made his first 3 tackles of the season, taking 10 snaps on defense and 20 on special teams in a 24-16 win over the Atlanta Falcons … Primarily played on special teams in six games for the 3-3 Commanders, recording 3 tackles.
Maurice Hurst II (2014-17), DT, Cleveland Browns
Played but didn’t record any statistics in a 19-17 triumph over the 49ers … Come off the bench in all five of the 3-2 Browns’ tilts, making 10 tackles, including 1 for loss and a half-sack, 2 quarterback hits, 2 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery.
Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DL, Detroit Lions
The former Michigan Heisman Trophy runner-up started and made 3 tackles in a 20-6 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers … Tied for 12th in the NFL with 4.5 sacks, adding 18 tackles, 4 stops for loss, 8 quarterback hits, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery and 1 forced fumble while starting all six games for the 5-1 Lions … Second among NFL edge rushers with 36 pressures, per PFF.
Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys
Made 3 tackles in a 20-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers Monday night … Registered 13 tackles, 1 pass breakup and 1 fumble recovery in five appearances off the bench for the 4-2 Cowboys.
David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Las Vegas Raiders
The former Michigan cornerback did not play in a 21-17 win over the New England Patriots … Recorded 5 tackles and 1 pass breakup in five outings for the 3-3 Raiders.
Jalen Mayfield (2018-20), G, New York Giants
Saw 1 snap on offense and 3 on special teams in a 14-9 setback to the Buffalo Bills … Elevated from the Giants’ practice squad to active roster Oct. 7 and played in two outings, taking snaps at right guard in one, for the 1-5 team.
Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts
Saw 16 special teams plays in a 37-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars … Played in five games for the 3-3 Colts but hasn’t recorded any statistics.
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Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
Tallied 8 tackles, including 2 for loss and a sack, and 3 quarterback hits with a forced fumble in a 19-13 win over the Chicago Bears … Fourth on the 2-4 Vikings with 32 tackles, also contributing 3 stops for loss, 1 sack, 2 pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Jake Moody (2018-22), K, San Francisco 49ers
Missed a 41-yard potential game-winning kick and went 1-of-3 overall on field goals in a 19-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns … Became the first kicker in NFL history to make 3 field goals and 3 extra points in each of his first three games … Is 10-of-12 on field goals through six outings for the 5-1 49ers.
Mike Morris (2019-22), DE, Seattle Seahawks
Missed the last four games with a shoulder injury, after recording 3 tackles in Week 1 for the 3-2 Seahawks.
David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens
Suffered an ankle injury in his third appearance of the season in Week 3, but opted for rehab over surgery and expects to return at some point this year … Collected 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit and 1 forced fumble in three clashes for the 4-2 Ravens.
Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks
The former Michigan center saw 3 special teams snaps in a 17-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals … Played in four games, totaling 44 offensive snaps and 15 special teams plays, for the 3-2 Seahawks.
Mike Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
Suffered a left ankle injury in Week 5 and missed this past weekend’s game, a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders … Opened four games at right guard for the 1-5 Patriots.
Kwity Paye (2017-20), DE, Indianapolis Colts
Started and posted 2 tackles in a 37-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars … Tallied 14 tackles, 4 stops for loss, 3 sacks and 4 quarterback hits while starting all five contests for the 3-3 Colts
Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns
The former Michigan wideout was targeted once but did not have a catch and returned 1 punt for 5 yards in a 19-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers … Brought in 6 receptions for 75 yards in five appearances with four starts for the 3-2 Browns … Returned 9 punts for 55 yards.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), DB, New England Patriots
Started and recorded 7 tackles and 2 pass breakups in a 21-17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders … Third on the club with 37 tackles … Posted 2 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble and 3 pass breakups while starting all six games for the 1-5 Patriots.
Brad Robbins (2017-22), P, Cincinnati Bengals
Attempted 6 punts with a 45.7-yard average, allowing 34 return yards, in a 17-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks … Punted 32 times with a 44.3-yard average (24th in the NFL) and a 62-yard long for the 3-3 Bengals.
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), C/G, New Orleans Saints
Allowed a team-high 8 pressures and 1 sack while starting at right guard and playing some right tackle due to other players’ injuries in a 20-13 loss to the Houston Texans … Missed Week 4 with injury but has started all five of the 3-3 Saints’ other games at right guard, giving up 11 pressures and 2 sacks according to PFF.
Jon Runyan (2015-19), G, Green Bay Packers
Had a bye over the weekend … Opened all five contests at right guard for the 2-3 Packers, allowing 7 pressures and 1 sack per PFF.
Luke Schoonmaker (2018-22), TE, Dallas Cowboys
Did not record any stats in a 20-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers … Targeted 6 times but only has 1 reception — a 1-yard touchdown — in six outings on the season for the 4-2 Cowboys.
Mazi Smith (2019-22), DT, Dallas Cowboys
Did not post any stats in a 20-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers … The first-round draft choice has recorded 4 tackles and 1 stop for loss in six appearances for the 4-2 Cowboys.
Ambry Thomas (2017-20), CB, San Francisco 49ers
Had 1 tackle in a 19-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns … Totaled 16 tackles and 1 pass breakup while starting two of his five appearances for the 5-1 49ers.
DJ Turner II (2019-22), CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Started for the second time this season (and second week in a row) and tied his career high with 4 tackles in a 17-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks … The former Michigan cornerback Started two of his six games for the 3-3 Bengals, putting up 12 tackles and 2 pass breakups.
Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
The former Michigan outside linebacker played off the bench but did not have any stats in a 21-17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders … Recorded 6 tackles, 2 sacks and 3 quarterback hits in six games with two starts for the 1-5 Patriots.
Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (2015-17), OT, New England Patriots
Did not play in a 21-17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders … Seen action in two outings for the 1-5 Patriots.
