2024 NFL Draft Prospect: DJ James

Photo from Auburn Athletics

DJ James

Position: CB — Projected: 4th Round

History & Measurables

Born: March 5, 2001 – Mobile, Alabama

High School: Spanish Fort HS

College: Auburn

Height – 5’11” Weight – 175 lbs

Traits & Characteristics

The Good

Coverage ability
Press
Instinct
Ball tracking

The Bad

Tackling
Pad level in run support
Pursuit

Advanced Analytics Notes

2023 Coverage Stats: Min 100 Snaps

Coverage Grade: 88.9 (11th Among Cornerbacks)
Pass Breakups: 10 (T-13th Among Cornerbacks)
Passer Rating Allowed: 87.4 (254th Among Cornerbacks)
Interceptions: 2 (T-69th Among Cornerbacks)
Times Targeted: 52 (T-117th Among Cornerbacks)

2023 Run Defense Stats: Min 100 Snaps

Run Defense Grade: 53.3 (418th Among Cornerbacks)
Run Stops: 3 (T-220th Among Cornerbacks)

Film Notes and Highlights

DJ James is an excellent cover corner. He knows his role well in zone coverage, is sticky in man coverage, and can play in the slot. In press, he forces pressure at the LOS and gets in the head of opposing wide receivers. He’s good at ball tracking and making a play at the catch point. In the run support, it’s a different story.

James is a smaller cornerback and does not possess the power to be a force in run support. He takes bad angles, and lacks strength in the run game – actively avoiding contact at times. I have a 3rd Round grade on James based on his coverage ability alone. If he was more helpful in the run game he would likely be talked as a Round 2 or Round 1 prospect. – Thomas Christopher

(Games Watched: vs Penn State 2022, vs Texas A&M 2023, vs Georgia 2023, vs LSU 2023, vs Alabama 2023, Live at Senior Bowl 2024)