The Cincinnati Bengals are currently going through a youth movement on defense led by third year cornerback DJ Turner II. With the benching of Cam Taylor-Britt, Turner has been a bright spot on a unit that’s a work in progress and solidified himself as CB1 for Al Golden, as he’s becoming a star right before our eyes. He’s often responsible for taking the opposing teams best wide receiver on the boundary and more than willing to lock one side of the field down. Excellent closing speed and ball skills with the right amount of aggresivness and high football IQ all fit the profile for Turner who will be needed down the stretch if the orange and black are to stay in the AFC North race.
DJ Turner II Continues to Impress for the Cincinnati Bengals
Fire Within
The one aspect that Turner brings that this Bengals defense badly needs is playing with a fire and intensity that is evident on the field. His teammates are taking notice and it’s raising the level of play for the entire group. Turner is also becoming more vocal in the locker room as the coaching staff trusts his voice inside and as a Field General on game day. These qualities are critical to carry you throught tough times like Cincinnati just experienced in a four-game losing streak.
Change of Pace
Defensive back might be the toughest position to play other than quarterback. There’s so many intricacies of the position that must be mastered if you want to play at a high-level in the NFL. Turner understands this and evolved his game since being drafted out of Michigan in 2023. His DB coach, Charles Burks was asked about his maturation and noted before the matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, “I think he figured out how to play with change of pace at the top of the route. So many battles are won and lost at the top of the route. He was playing too fast at times, and not able to play his game and not able to adapt his speed to the person he was covering. He’s making that adjustment. Going against Tee and Ja’Marr really helped him with that. They’re two different receivers.”
Iron sharpens iron and going against two of the best wide receivers every day in practice is such a cofidence booster and clearly played a role in the ascenion of Turner thus far in 2025.
Ball Out
The best way to describe Turner is that he’s simply a baller. if you need a play to be made in a big moment, number 20 has your back.
I’m tempted to show this play on TV every single night, until something impresses me more.
DJ Turner’s interception was genuinely one of the most outstanding plays I’ve ever seen
#Bengals @WCPO pic.twitter.com/RqEwQp0TPE
— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) October 17, 2025
Heading into Week 7, Turner has led the league with five forced incompletions and a 91.6 coverage grade last week, allowing just a 45.8 passer rating in his coverage. He also ranks (Corners) Forced Incompletions – 1st, Forced Incompletion % – 1st, Pass Break Ups – 1st, Interceptions – 1st, NFL Passer Rating – 3rd, Reception % Allowed – 3rd.
This shows all of the hard work and dedication Turner has put in to be at the top of his game. Sucess is certainly earned, and the Bengals hope ther’e plenty more of where that came from.
Main Photo: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
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