With the third overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans draft Derek Stingley Jr., cornerback out of LSU. The lockdown corner from LSU will be able to step in for any team and serve as a team’s top cornerback. He is also an explosive player who is hard to shake and he has incredible ball skills. Let’s take a closer look at Stingley.
Derek Stingley Jr. Highlights
Texans Draft Derek Stingley Jr. | 2022 NFL Draft Profile
Derek Stingley Jr.
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 195 lbs
Age: 20
College: LSU Tigers
Derek Stingley Jr. Draft Profile
Strengths
Derek Stingley Jr. has everything that you want in a cornerback. He has a combination of size, speed and explosiveness that can make him an all-pro and franchise player on defense. His athleticism jumps off of the charts. This allows him to have incredible ball skills which can translate to a bump and run technique in the NFL. His ability to play bigger than his frame is intriguing given the talent at receiver in the NFL right now. Stingley knows when to attack the ball and when to attack the receiver, which can play well for teams with a zone defense concept.
Weaknesses
The biggest weakness glaring from Stingley is his ability to stay on the football field. He has only appeared in 10 games out of the last two years. A foot injury was the main reason that he was limited to only three games last season. Stingley will also have to improve in the run game. While he does attack the ball carrier well, he needs to show more against bigger backs. There are some instances where it looks like Stingley has been taken out of the game in run defense.
RELATED | Full Derek Stingley Jr. NFL Draft Profile and Highlights
Derek Stingley Jr. Stats 2021 | LSU Tigers
| Games | Tackles | INT | FF | PD |
| 3 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
What to Expect From Derek Stingley Jr. in 2022
It’s clear Derek Stingley Jr. was drafted this high to contribute immediately. So, look for him to play a major role in this defense. He has the athleticism to fight and compete on plays with anyone, even at the NFL level. Stingley also has fantastic ball skills so don’t be surprised if he is one of the top ball hawks in his rookie season.
