DJ James CB Auburn | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
DJ James CB Auburn
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside Zone CB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.42 seconds (78%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 23.8 DOB: 03/05/2001 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside Zone CB | |
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2024 | |
| 40 time: 4.42 seconds (78%*) | |
| Age: 23.8 DOB: 03/05/2001 | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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| Overall Rating: | 84.1 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 78.0 | |
| Tackling: |
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76% |
| Run Defense: |
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63% |
| Coverage: |
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98% |
| Zone: |
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93% |
| Man/Press: |
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95% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#91
Position rank:
#20
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| College Games: 53 College Snaps: 2360 | ||
ESPN RATING: 74/100
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247 RATING: 89/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Roger McCreary - Auburn |
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67% |
| Devon Witherspoon - Illinois |
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67% |
| Emmanuel Forbes - Mississippi State |
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63% |
Drafted: ROUND: 6 - Pick Number: 192 (SEA)
Draft Profile: Bio
D.J. James, a cornerback from Auburn, has demonstrated exceptional talent both at the University of Oregon and Auburn University. While playing 32 games at Oregon, James tallied 70 tackles and two interceptions. His transition to Auburn allowed him to further showcase his coverage abilities, marking him as a standout player in both man and zone schemes.James earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2022, highlighting his skill set and impact on the field. His high school career was just as impressive, with six interceptions and 16 pass breakups in his senior year, drawing attention from major Power Five schools. James' 2023 season was impressive, with 3.5 TFLs, two interceptions, and 10 pass breakups, culminating in an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Shows the click-and-close ability to backpedal and the ball skills to make plays - able to blanket even the speediest of receivers. James has loose hips to go along with good top-end speed, and James can flip around to turn and run in coverage.
- He has to add weight, but will it affect his athleticism? If it doesn’t, he is a No. 1 corner with the ball skills to be a game changer.
- Exhibits coverage versatility, adept in both man and zone schemes, with a keen ability to disrupt plays and maintain coverage integrity.
- Quick feet and fluid hips allow for effective press coverage, enabling him to stay square and leverage his length effectively.
- Demonstrates explosive athleticism and top-end speed, crucial for running with receivers and recovering when out of position.
- Shows remarkable ball skills, tracking the ball with precision and timing, effectively separating the receiver from the ball at the catch point.
- Instinctual player with a high football IQ, showcasing an ability to play multiple positions in the secondary and execute well-timed pass breakups.
- Aggressive and scrappy play style for his size, willing to engage physically and tackle with determination, showcasing the ability to play beyond his frame.
- Excellent burst and closing speed to quickly close gaps and disrupt plays, both in coverage and run support.
- Displays impressive short-area agility and reactive quickness, allowing for effective playmaking in zone coverage and anticipation of throws.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Very skinny - lacks ideal bulk and strength, which can be a disadvantage in taking on blocks and battling for position against stronger opponents.
- Occasionally struggles with eye discipline, leading to vulnerabilities against double moves and complex route combinations.
- Can be overly aggressive in coverage, potentially drawing penalties for excessive contact with receivers.
- Although willing to tackle, sometimes opts for lower-body tackles against larger ball carriers, as he's unable to bring players down due to size matchup issues
Scouting Report: Summary
D.J. James enters the NFL Draft as one of the top pure coverage talents in his class. Despite his slight frame and lack of ideal NFL strength, James has consistently shown the ability to shadow receivers across the field, break up passes with precise timing, and leverage his agility to close spaces quickly. His instinctual play, coupled with his quick feet and fluid hips, allows him to maintain excellent coverage and disrupt passing lanes, making him a formidable presence in the secondary.However, James' physical attributes raise concerns about his ability to compete at the next level. His lean build and the absence of bulk could challenge his effectiveness in press coverage and against the run, where physicality is paramount. While he compensates with aggression and a scrappy approach to tackling, the demand for added muscle and strength is evident to withstand the rigors of the NFL.
Despite these concerns, James' natural ability in coverage positions him as a high-upside prospect who could excel in a system that maximizes his strengths and minimizes exposure to his physical limitations. His versatility and football IQ should enable him to contribute early and often, provided he can adapt to the physical demands of the pro game.
DJ James percentiles vs other Cornerbacks (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate DJ James (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
83.6
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
23.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.