Quick reactions are nothing new for NFL Draft cycles. It’s virtually a certainty that many writers, followers and analysts will dwell to remorse no matter hyperbole take they’ve on no matter prospect popping out.
Nevertheless, the act of figuring out whether or not a participant was an excellent draft decide for a crew primarily based on worth, want and the participant’s general means is a bit safer to guard your self from the tough rays of hindsight.
ESPN’s draft skilled Todd McShay just lately chosen DJ Turner because the Cincinnati Bengals’ finest decide from this draft, and it’s simple to see why:
There was some buzz that Turner might go within the first spherical within the weeks main into the draft, however the Bengals landed him within the last picks of the second spherical. Place of want? Examine. Glorious worth? Examine. And expertise? Examine once more.
Turner blazed a 4.26 within the 40-yard sprint on the mix, the quickest time for the occasion this 12 months. I see an excellent mixture of velocity, suddenness and fluid motion on tape, and he can mirror receivers so properly, recognizing route combos and sticking with them like glue. He received’t be the largest nook within the league at 5-foot-11 and 178 kilos, and he picked off just one move final season, however he has the traits to be a stable starter in Cincinnati. And I really suppose the ball manufacturing might enhance within the professionals due to how properly he closes on targets.
The Bengals lucked out when Turner fell to their second-round choice. He’s a participant who might have gone from the late first or early second, and no matter crew selecting him would probably nonetheless get this reward.
Many have identified that Turner doesn’t match the current mildew of corners Cincinnati has been buying. It appeared like they had been going the route of larger corners who might play zone protection. Nevertheless, Turner might simply slot in with Chidobe Awuzie and Cam Taylor-Britt, who’re each roughly 6’ and 200 kilos. That’s roughly 20 kilos greater than Turner, however he’s a 12 months behind Taylor-Britt.
The factor Cincinnati missed final season when Awuzie went down on Halloween was a nook who might man up on an opposing vast receiver and immediately make that throw a troublesome one on a cornerback. Eli Apple was an excellent depth piece, however he could possibly be a legal responsibility in opposition to sure matchups and schemes since he’d be in zone protection most of the time. Turner provides some depth to that concept in addition to permitting them to maintain that when Awuzie probably will get priced out of being re-signed.
We haven’t even gotten to speak about how Turner might find yourself being the very best man-to-man nook from this draft. His insane athletic make-up included working a 4.26-second 40-yard sprint, and it’s simple to see in the course of the movie. Even when Turner will get beat, his means to catch as much as the purpose of the catch is completely unfair.
It’s secure to say Turner will shortly turn out to be a fan favourite amongst Bengals followers.