In the 192nd pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, Auburn CB D.J. James is chosen by the Seattle Seahawks.
As a member of the Seahawks, D.J. James will double up on Auburn corners and reunite with Nehemiah Pritchett, bolstering an already strong, skilled secondary.
The Seattle Seahawks grabbed a second Auburn standout in two rounds on day three of the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting D.J. James with the 192nd overall pick in the sixth round. The team was stockpiling athletic cornerbacks.
After beginning his career at Oregon, James moved on to Auburn, where he immediately established himself as the starting quarterback opposite current colleague Nehemiah Pritchett. In 2021, James intercepted interception two passes and produced five pass breakups as a starter. He spent two years with the Tigers, mostly playing outside as a boundary defender. He recorded 75 tackles, three interceptions, and a defensive score; in January of this year, he was invited to the Senior Bowl.
Even though he isn’t quite as quick as his buddy Pritchett, James was able to cover some of the top SEC receivers with his 4.42 40-yard sprint time at the combine. He plays a physical style of football to help slow down releases by opposing wideouts, and Auburn frequently used him with both corners. He is feisty in press coverage and had consistent ball production in his final three collegiate seasons, with five picks and 21 pass breakups.
James’s coverage has been erratic; according to Pro Football Focus tracking, he has missed at least 10% of his tackles in each of the last three years. However, these problems are not the result of a lack of desire to stop the run. He likes to get physical when tackling ball carriers, and during the previous season, he recorded 3.5 tackles for loss while playing as a boundary corner for Auburn, demonstrating his capacity to produce big plays in that area.
As he enters the NFL, James may compete outside or in the slot, further packing Seattle’s deepest position group. With Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen set to start with Mike Jackson, Tre Brown, and Artie Burns as the trio of seasoned veterans behind them, he and Pritchett will be up against fierce competition. Coby Bryant, a third-year defender, might also be considered, though he may decide to go to safety on a full-time basis. Bryant is a past Jim Thorpe Award winner.
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