BREAKING: Houston Texans draft LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. with third overall pick
Derek Stingley Jr.’s wait at the 2022 NFL draft on Thursday night was shorter than many expected.
The former LSU star was taken with the third overall pick by the Houston Texans. Heading into the draft, most mocks showed Stingley falling outside the top 10. However, the Texans identified him as the top corner in the draft, and he will be heading to the Lone Star State.
Stingley had a breakout true freshman season in 2019 as LSU captured a national title. He finished the year with 15 pass breakups and six interceptions. He’s been limited by injuries since, appearing in just 10 games over the last two seasons.
He spent the beginning of the offseason recovering from a Lisfranc fracture, but he participated in LSU’s Pro Day earlier this month and should be good to go by the start of the season.
Houston needs help in the secondary and especially at corner, a position which is currently occupied by Desmond King II and Lonnie Johnson Jr. Stingley should be able to compete for a starting spot as a rookie.
Many expected Cincinnati’s Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner to be the first corner off the board, but he went with the next pick to the New York Jets at No. 4.
This is the fourth straight year that LSU has had a player taken in the top five. Stingley joins Ja'Marr Chase, Joe Burrow and Devin White in sharing that distinction.
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How to watch the 2022 NFL draft this weekend
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