Dallas Cowboys Draft: Getting to Know DJ Turner, CB

As the NFL combine inches closer, we are starting to see teams talk about certain players more. That certainly is the case for the Dallas Cowboys as they look to build on back-to-back 12-win seasons.

Former Michigan Wolverine, DJ Turner may just be on their radar as Dan Quinn looks to build upon one of the league’s best defenses. Depending on how he interviews and performs at the combine, Turner can go from late round 2 to late round 1.

Will DJ Turner’s smaller size cast a shadow over his big game in the eyes of Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn?

The biggest concern for Turner is his height, weight, and length when it comes to the position he plays. He comes in at the sixty-third percentile for his height and a mind-blowingly low eighth percentile for his weight.

Teams will certainly be looking for Turner to put on a few pounds before the season starts. With weight and training, he will then help address the next biggest concern that comes with his size, and that is his playing strength.

Bigger receivers in the NFL will be able to bully DJ Turner at the line of scrimmage and use their size against him if he doesn’t bulk up a bit.

What Turner lacks in size he more than makes up for with his athleticism, technique, and versatility. He may not be a top-5 corner in this deep corner draft but he is one of the top corners when it comes to coverage. His specialty comes in man coverage when he can use his refined technique and smooth transitions to beat opposing receivers with pure athleticism.

Some might question if Dan Quinn and the Dallas Cowboys would draft a guy that lacks height and length, but DJ Turner is a sticky cornerback who can contribute on day one as cornerback 2.

In Dallas, that’s exactly what he would be asked to do behind Trevon Diggs on this defense. With his polished coverage skills, pure athleticism, and competitiveness DJ Turner hasn’t yet approached his ceiling. He could wind up being one of the top corners in this draft when the dust has settled and we look back on this draft in 2-3 years.

Projected Draft Spot: Ranked CB14 by NFL Draft Buzz and CB8 by TDN, Turner is projected to go anywhere from late in the 1st round to late in the 2nd round. His draft position is going to depend a lot on how he performs at the combine as he is a “tweener” to be drafted in the first round.

This draft is a deep corner draft and DJ Turner might have one of the higher upsides of any other player at his position. The Dallas Cowboys should keep an eye on Turner with their first two picks.