The NFL inexplicably rains on Bengals CB DJ Turner II’s parade weeks before his life should change dramatically
ESPN’s annual survey of over 70 NFL executives, coaches and scouts to gauge the 10-best players at each position has returned. Cincinnati Bengals cornerback DJ Turner II was inexplicably left off the top-10 cornerbacks list.
ESPN’s annual survey of over 70 NFL executives, coaches, and scouts to gauge the 10-best players at each position has returned. Cincinnati Bengals cornerback DJ Turner II was inexplicably left off the top-10 ranking of cornerbacks.
Turner was included in the category of corners who received votes, but he did not receive enough to even be listed as an honorable mention.
Top-ranked NFL cornerbacks according to execs, coaches, and scouts
Here’s how the top-10 turned out
- 1. Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos
- 2. Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans
- 3. Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots
- 4. Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks
- 5. Trent McDuffie, Los Angeles Rams
- 6. Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles
- 7. Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns
- 8. Jaycee Horn, Carolina Panthers
- 9. Sauce Gardner, Indianapolis Colts
- 10. Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles
NFL personnel excluding DJ Turner II is inexcusable and frankly disrespectful
That is a crowded group of 10 cornerbacks, but Turner was simply one of the best at his position in 2025 and both the tape and data back that up.
Turner led the league for most of the year in passes defensed. He finished the season with the sixth-highest coverage grade among season-long starting CBs according to Pro Football Focus.
Despite his impressive production, Turner was also omitted from the 2026 Pro Bowl Games AFC roster. The 25-year old had more passes defensed, and a lower percentage of targets caught than all four CBs whom were voted in at the time the ballots were tallied.
The Pro Bowl process is ultimately muddied due to fan voting. ESPN’s annual exercise only seeks out those who live, breathe, and die football in the business and even they still aren’t aware Turner should be at the very least on the cusp of the top-10 if not among the group.
Turner’s contract extension should overshadow this disrespect
Cincinnati couldn’t care less about Turner’s involvement in the ranking as the club is hoping to reach a contract extension with the former second-round pick before the start of the regular season. Turner’s agent posted an optimistic graphic to his Instagram story last week, signaling an agreement could come soon, but there hasn’t been any word regarding progress of their negotiations.
Turner is primed to be paid like a top defensive back in the NFL. The top-10 contracts in terms of Average Annual Value (AAV) are all at least $19.5 million per year. The top-three deals have reached the $30 million AAV mark.
Needless to say, Turner will be cashing in if a deal is reached. He’s the Bengals’ CB1 and deserves to be compensated for it. Maybe some in the league will be shocked by the money he’s projected to sign for, but they shouldn’t be.
Cincinnati’s defense improving around Turner may be the only way he receives the respect he’s earned for developing into a great player. If he builds off of last season this year under an expensive new contract, it will be virtually impossible to leave him off the 2027 rankings.