The Cincinnati Bengals quietly have a lockdown cornerback on their hands.

DJ Turner has been that guy this year, shadowing stars and going after tough assignments while shutting down opponents who go after him.

It’s getting to the point where opposing offenses have stopped throwing at Turner.

That’s the ultimate compliment an NFL offense can pay a corner. And defensive coordinator Al Golden says it’s simply a testament to the work Turner has put in so far, as captured by Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com:

“I just see tremendous growth in his preparation and his process, improvement in his technique, especially at the top of the route, and then just really blocking everything out. He’s the same guy every day right now. He’s got his head down, and he’s working, and there is no finish line for him.”

Turner found himself targeted by the New England Patriots two games ago just one time. Last week, the Baltimore Ravens targeted him three times. He allowed one for eight yards…against a tight end.

So far, Turner has a 77.7 PFF grade on the season. Or, written another way, that ranks him fifth out of 110 cornerbacks.

But right now, one doesn’t need to study the game to see that Turner has had a major jump this year. If the 2023 second-round pick keeps getting ignored by offenses, it’s a major win for a Bengals team that has struggled to secure steady cornerback play for years.