2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: DJ James, CB, Auburn
Welcome to the Exclusive Sneak Peek: DJ James, a cornerback out of Auburn. He is from Mobile, AL, and was a 3-star recruit for Spanish Fort High School.
James began his collegiate career at Oregon with two seasons as a part-time player. He appeared in 13 games through his first two years with mediocre results. He posted a combined 19 tackles, 7 assists, and 2 passes defended during these two seasons.
In his final season at Oregon, he became a full-time player for the first time. In 12 games, he posted 34 tackles, 12 assists, 2 interceptions, and 4 passes defended. After that season, he transferred to Auburn.
In two years with Auburn, he posted elite numbers, although slightly lower than in his last year at Oregon. He posted 55 tackles, 20 assists, 3 interceptions, and 18 passes defended during those two years before declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Measurables
NCAA Statistics
| Tackles | Def Int | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF |
| *2019 | Oregon | Pac-12 | FR | CB | 7 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |||
| *2020 | Oregon | Pac-12 | SO | CB | 6 | 12 | 4 | 16 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |||
| *2021 | Oregon | Pac-12 | SO | CB | 12 | 34 | 12 | 46 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 2 | 19 | 9.5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022 | Auburn | SEC | JR | 12 | 25 | 12 | 37 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1 | 27 | 27.0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| *2023 | Auburn | SEC | SR | CB | 12 | 30 | 8 | 38 | 3.5 | 0.0 | 2 | 3 | 1.5 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | Overall | 108 | 39 | 147 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 5 | 49 | 9.8 | 1 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Oregon | 53 | 19 | 72 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 2 | 19 | 9.5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| Auburn | 55 | 20 | 75 | 4.5 | 0.0 | 3 | 30 | 10.0 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
Scouting Reports
Strengths
- Has game-changing ball skills in coverage.
- He tracks the ball well and gets his head around quickly to locate it while it’s in the air.
- Locates the ball well and forces turnovers often.
- Possesses an excellent ability to highpoint the ball and make a play on the ball.
Weaknesses
- He lacks elite size and physicality.
- Tends to get handsy in coverage and is prone to pass interference penalties.
- He does not have elite straight-line speed.
- Struggles with big, physical receivers.
Pre-Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital: Round 4
Ideal Landing Spot: San Francisco 49ers
James is an underrated and potentially high-end cornerback who is likely to be available at the beginning of Day 3. He has the potential to be the best corner in this class and could be a steal for the 49ers if he can fully develop.
The 49ers have a well-rounded coaching staff and are more than capable of getting the best out of such a talented young defender. This could be a match made in heaven for both San Francisco and James.
Post-Draft Analysis
6.192 to the Seattle Seahawks
James
