There haven’t been many bright spots on the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense this year. Trey Hendrickson has missed the majority of the season, and outside of a few plays, the defense hasn’t shown up for the most part. However, there is one big exception to that, and his name is DJ Turner.
Just How Good is DJ Turner?
Turner has been one of the few bright spots for the Bengals’ defense. Turner really started to show his talent last season before a broken collarbone in week 11 ended his season. However, if you look at PFSN’s NFL CB impact rankings, Turner finished 2024 with an impact score of 84.4.
However, Turner has really taken his game to another level this season. Going back to the CB impact rankings, he is scoring a 92.7 this season, which is third-best in the NFL. He is completing just 46.3% of his passes when targeted and has 13 forced incompletions, the most in the NFL.
Turner is often tasked with covering the opponent’s best receiver, as he was against the Patriots when he shadowed Stefon Diggs around the field this past Sunday. Diggs was held to two catches for 20 yards and was essentially a non-factor in the game.
It’s not just this past week that Turner has helped the Bengals lock down the opposing team’s number one receiver. The Bengals held DK Metcalf of the Steelers under 100 yards combined in their two meetings, as well as holding Moore and Justin Jefferson under 100 yards.
On top of being one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL in pass defense, Turner isn’t afraid to stick his nose in and tackle the ball carrier. Despite his size, Turner has tackled well this year, when tackling has been one of the most significant issues for this defense as a whole.
Turner should be on his way to being named a Pro Bowler and a First Team All-Pro for the first time in his career. He would be the first Bengals defensive back to make the First Team All-Pro team since Ashley Ambrose in 1996, if he makes it. The Bengals’ defense has been bad, but none of that is Turner’s fault.
