DJ James, Pro Football Focus' sixth-best coverage CB this season, accepts Senior Bowl invite
AUBURN — DJ James has accepted an invite to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, the postseason game announced on Wednesday morning.
James started his career at Oregon after playing high school football at Spanish Fort (HS) Ala. He racked up 70 tackles and six pass breakups in three seasons before transferring to Auburn prior to the 2022 season. James has 72 tackles and 16 pass breakups and counting in 23 career games at Auburn. He has five career interceptions.
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Pro Football Focus grades James as the sixth-best cornerback in terms of coverage grade so far this season. According to PFF, James has allowed completions on just 63 percent of targets for just 275 total yards. PFF credits James with eight pass breakups, two interceptions and just one touchdown allowed in 11 games.
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During fall camp, then cornerbacks coach Wesley McGriff, now moved into an off-the-field coaching role, said this of James:
“Ooh, skillset. Man he has a skillset that he can play some really sticky coverage outside. He is really fluid, can change directions, he has exceptional ball skills. (James) can go from the meeting room to the field. He has a strong football IQ. So, it is good to see him out there playing tight coverage. You know the offense is giving us a lot to cover, they are giving us a lot of formations, they’re throwing the ball down the field, they just challenge us. I think DJ is doing a good job of stepping up to the challenge. You don’t have a lot who can change direction like he can, who can drive forward on a short ball and a medium ball. but can also go north and take away the deep ball. He has the skillset you look for at that position.”
Projections vary, but DJ James is widely looked at as a second or third-round draft pick in next year’s NFL Draft.
