Jan. 24, 2026, 5:30 a.m. ET<\/p>\n
Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> fans, by now, know all about DJ Turner.\u00a0<\/p>\n The upstart cornerback was healthy and a breakout for the team this year amid the slog of a losing season.<\/p>\n Call it a fun silver lining for those fans who get to see the idea keep picking up steam nationally, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n A good recent example? Zach Tantillo<\/a> of Pro Football Focus recently named Turner as the Bengals<\/a>\u2019 breakout \u201csecret superstar of last season:<\/p>\n \u201cOn a Bengals defense that struggled throughout 2025, Turner stood out as the unit\u2019s most consistent performer. His 73.3 PFF overall grade was the highest on the defense, and his 78.1 PFF coverage grade ranked fifth among all cornerbacks with at least 275 coverage snaps. Turner also limited opposing quarterbacks to a 46.8% completion rate into his coverage, the fifth-lowest clip among NFL cornerbacks.\u201d<\/p>\n Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!<\/a><\/p>\n RELATED:Bengals draft outlook: The last 10 picks at No. 10 overall<\/a><\/p>\n The Bengals desperately needed this, too. Alongside the breakout of Dax Hill at the other boundary spot, the defense finally appears to have found answers at both premium positions.\u00a0<\/p>\n Just in time, too, with Cam Taylor-Britt headed to free agency after getting benched and his legal issues<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n This won\u2019t necessarily take cornerback off the board as an option at No. 10 in the draft. But it dramatically gives the Bengals the ability to focus major assets and money at other spots.\u00a0<\/p>\n