D.J. James, CB, Auburn
Size:
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 175 pounds
Arm Length: 31”
Hand Size: 8 3/8"
Accomplishments:
All-SEC (2023, 2022)
“D.J. James is an experienced, coverage-versatile cornerback with a feisty mentality and football IQ to play multiple spots in the defensive secondary.”
Strengths:
Coverage versatility
Quick feet
Instincts
Inside/outside flexibility
Concerns:
Long speed
Eye discipline
Smaller frame/build
Film Analysis:
D.J. James offers coverage versatility, as he’s capable of operating both man and zone coverages. He has good click-and-close skills to trigger downhill on underneath routes. He has well-timed jumps to meet receivers at the catch point. James has 16 pass break-ups over the last two seasons in Auburn. He does a good job closing the space between himself and the receiver as the football approaches. He has solid ball skills to generate a few turnovers in coverage.
James plays with a feisty mentality and willingness to tackle in space. His reliability in bringing down the receiver or ball carrier will give his coach more trust. He plays with good instincts and IQ. Using a good backpedal, James gets to his landmarks in coverage while reading the action in front of him.
James can be a bit aggressive in coverage with his trigger. This leaves him susceptible to double moves and fakes. I am unsure about his long speed when tasked to play tight/press-man coverage against explosive wide receivers. There are reps where he does not hold up well in a foot race down the field. Handling and shedding stalk blocks in the screen game needs improvement. His smaller/thinner frame will raise concerns about matching the physicality of the NFL game. James's eye discipline can get him in trouble. He will peek into the backfield during his drops and wind up watching the quarterback instead of identifying the route concepts being thrown his way.
James projects as an off-man and Cover-3 zone cover corner. This allows him to protect the vertical/deep portions of the field and keep his eyes on the action in front of him to trigger downhill. He adds slot/nickel value as well.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Written By: Damian Parson
Exposures: Alabama (2023), Georgia (2023), Ole Miss (2023), Mississippi State (2022), Ole Miss (2022), Georgia (2022), Alabama (2022)
