NFL Draft grades: Experts give high marks to Cincinnati Bengals taking DJ Turner
Michigan Wolverines football had its third prospect taken of the 2023 NFL Draft when the Cincinnati Bengals selected cornerback DJ Turner with the No. 60 overall pick. He joined defensive tackle (No. 26 overall) and tight end Luke Schoonmaker (No. 58) – both selected by the Dallas Cowboys – as Michigan’s draftees to that point.
Turner was seen as a potential first-round pick, but more likely was set for second-round consideration, which ultimately came true. The Bengals have selected a Michigan defensive back in back-to-back drafts after taking Daxton Hill at No. 31 overall last offseason.
Here’s a look at the grades on Turner’s selection by the Bengals on Friday night.
RELATED:
• DJ Turner selected by Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft
• Cincinnati Bengals leadership explains DJ Turner pick: ‘We feel we’re getting a complete player’
Gilberto Manzano, Sports Illustrated: B+
The Bengals’ new-look secondary now includes a new cornerback in Turner, who clocked a blazing 4.26 in the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. Turner is a feisty competitor and plays bigger than his listed height of 5’11” and 178 pounds. He recorded 11 passes defended last season.
Turner was the fastest player at the NFL scouting combine and has great man coverage skills to go with that speed. He has the potential to be a long-term starter for the Bengals with his athleticism.
Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report: B-
Turner’s 178-pound frame is a cause for concern, although he didn’t miss a single game over the last two seasons. Even so, he may find a home covering the slot in the NFL because of his quick feet and his ability to stick with receivers from the onset of their routes.
A year ago, the Cincinnati Bengals chose Michigan’s Daxton Hill in the first round. They’ve doubled down on Wolverines with the selection of Turner in this year’s second round.
Interestingly, Hill’s value skyrocketed last year because of his ability to play over the slot, though he didn’t do it as often during his rookie campaign with Mike Hilton on the roster. Meanwhile, Turner has been often projected as a nickel corner, but his raw speed will likely keep him on the outside for now.
Charles McDonald, Yahoo! Sports: B+
Turner was the fastest player at the NFL scouting combine and has great man coverage skills to go with that speed. He has the potential to be a long-term starter for the Bengals with his athleticism.
Scott Dochterman, The Athletic: B+
Cincinnati’s No. 23-ranked pass defense picked up a key addition in the speedy Turner. The Michigan corner turned heads at the combine with a 4.26 40 time, the fastest time this year and third-fastest time recorded for a corner. Although he has a smallish frame (5-11 ¼, 178), Turner battles and will tackle. He’s ideally suited to cover slot receivers as a nickel corner.
A starter the past two seasons for the two-time Big Ten champions, Turner mostly played outside and intercepted three passes and defended 20 passes. Over that span, he allowed 59 catches on 130 targets for four touchdowns.
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: B+
Not a super twitchy CB but incredibly fast. Inside-out versatility. Smaller, skinnier frame. Good tackler. Attacks the ball aggressively in the air. More young personnel for Cincinnati’s secondary.
Pro Football Focus: Good
Turner can flat-out fly, clocking a 4.26-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. He did get picked on a little at Michigan, and there’s still a fair amount of development needed, but he allowed just 46.5% of the passes thrown into his coverage to be caught in 2022 and forced 14 incompletions in the process.
Joseph Acosta, SB Nation: B+
This is another pick looking towards the future for the Bengals. Turner has inside-outside versatility, and can be another potential star in the Bengals secondary.
