DJ James: 2024 NFL Draft profile and projection
Auburn is a Top-20 all-time college program in terms of producing draft picks into the NFL. According to DraftHistory.com., the Tigers have 295 all-time draft picks, which ranks No. 19 among all programs.
Auburn hopes to add to that total in the 2024 NFL Draft. There a handful of players that should hear their name called. Auburn Live will profile the top candidates to be drafted leading into the draft that is upcoming on April 25-27 in Detroit, Michigan.
DJ James
James tallied 147 tackles, five tackles for loss and five interceptions and 24 pass deflections during his three years at Oregon and two years at Auburn. Three of James’ interceptions and 18 of his 24 pass deflections happened in the last two years with the Tigers. Last season was solid across the board for James, racking up 38 tackles, recording 10 pass deflections and notching two picks.
Pro Football Focus graded James as the No. 11 overall cornerback in college football last season when it comes to coverage ability. Only three other SEC cornerbacks were graded above James in terms of overall coverage production in 2023. James was named second-team All-SEC by PFF following the 2022 season.
James attended the NFL Combine and ran a 4.42 40-yard dash. James measured in at 6-foot and 175 pounds.
Here’s what NFL.com says about James:
A thin frame combined with questionable long speed could push James inside, where his pattern-matching and short-area athleticism should work to his advantage. James plays with excellent body control and disciplined footwork and is rarely out of position in coverage. He’s instinctive with short-area twitch but has generated a little less ball production than expected for his traits. Both zone and man coverage comes naturally, but bigger bodies can give him trouble. Below-average run support will be targeted by play-callers, so that could come into consideration for some teams. James has the athleticism and coverage skills to become a starting nickel within a couple of years.
Draft projection: Round 3
