Is Derek Stingley Jr. finally proving his worth as the top pick?
I must admit, my preference for the Houston Texans in the 2022 NFL draft was for them to select Sauce Gardner. However, reports suggest that former head coach Lovie Smith strongly advocated for Derek Stingley Jr.
Stingley came into the league with a considerable amount of hype, but also with several uncertainties. Initially hailed as the undisputed best cornerback in college football, he faced setbacks due to recurring injuries.
After completing his three NCAA seasons, he played in 15 games (2019), 7 games (2020), and only 3 games (2022) before joining the Texans.
Nevertheless, his impressive 2019 season was sufficient to secure him a spot in the first round of the NFL draft, where he recorded 31 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 21 passes defensed, and 6 interceptions – surpassing his entire college career production.
Since joining the Houston Texans, Stingley has participated in 15 games, achieving 51 solo tackles, 0 tackles for loss, 13 passes defensed, and 5 interceptions. Notably, two of those interceptions occurred in the recent game against Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos.
Texans’ fans were hopeful that the return of Demeco Ryans as head coach would rejuvenate Stingley. Recent performances indicate that Ryans might be succeeding in that endeavor.
While injuries continue to pose challenges to Stingley’s career, his projected stats for the 2023 season suggest a significant improvement: 93 solo tackles, 0 tackles for loss, 24 passes defensed, and 16.5 interceptions. It’s essential to note that the interception number might be inflated due to last Sunday’s gifts from Wilson, so it’s wise not to make any wagers based solely on that.
Comparing these projections to Stingley’s 2022 final stats – 35 solo tackles, 0 tackles for loss, 5 passes defensed, and 1 interception – it’s evident that he’s on track for a much better season.
Looking ahead, the upcoming matchup against Sauce Gardner and the New York Jets raises intriguing questions. Can Gardner prevent Nico Collins from shining against the Jets’ defense, and will Stingley outperform the other top defensive back prospect of the 2022 draft? It’s surprising that more discussions aren’t centered around this captivating narrative.
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