CINCINNATI — Character and speed were the two characteristics that defined the Bengals’ second day of the 2023 NFL Draft on Friday.<\/p>\n
In taking Dax Hill’s former teammate at Michigan – corner DJ Turner II – and Alabama safety Jordan Battle, the Bengals continue to load up on defense to be prepared to handle the offenses that they’ll see week after week in the AFC.<\/p>\n
In Turner, the Bengals are getting one of the fastest corners in the draft class. Turner ran a 4.26 40-yard dash, the fastest of any DB in the class, including an impressive 1.42 in his first 10-yard burst. Not only does he test fast, he plays fast according to Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, you take the whole thing and put it together, and I think he\u2019s got a little bit a ways to go from a weight standpoint, but you can put some weight on him \u2014 you can\u2019t make him (run a) 4.2 (second 40-yard dash),” Anarumo said. “The explosiveness that he has in his body, he\u2019s a tough guy, throws his body around, so it\u2019s not that he won\u2019t try to tackle or anything like that, so we feel like we\u2019re getting a complete player.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turner will have to compensate for his weight (only 178 lbs.) and his arm length (30 3\/4″).<\/p>\n
\u201cI just think the way the guy moves, changes direction is really excellent,” Anarumo said. “Not only the long part of it, but his short area, quickness stuff is really excellent. I think that helps offset some of the other things.\u201d<\/p>\n