What makes LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. the next great CB prospect
From the moment he stepped onto the field for the LSU Tigers, Derek Stingley Jr. appeared destined to be the first cornerback selected in the 2022 NFL draft.
A dynamic cover man with all the physical and mental tools to be an elite player at the next level, Stingley wasted no time shutting down some of the nation’s most talented pass-catchers while playing in the SEC.
What makes him the next great corner prospect? NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah recently broke down Stingley’s game, and came away as impressed as you might expect:
I love Stingley’s combination of size, speed and fluidity. He is a very easy mover without any hint of stiffness in his ankles or hips. He has the speed to mirror vertical routes — and on the rare occasion he is out of position, he has enough juice to recover. He is at his best in press coverage. He isn’t ultra-physical, but he does get his hands on opponents, which helps him feel and anticipate break points down the field. From off coverage, Stingley displays the instincts and knowledge to protect the sticks and drive on balls thrown in front of him. He doesn’t waste steps in his transition out of his pedal and he displays an explosive burst to close.
Jeremiah says Stingley brings to the table all the things that NFL teams are looking for at the corner position:
The NFL is a man-coverage league. Teams are starving for players like Stingley. With a little more experience and polish, he’s going to be able to lock up top-tier NFL wideouts without much help over the top. Guys like this are very difficult to find. He will be highly coveted whenever he decides to enter the league.
If he can stay healthy and play up to his lofty potential in 2021, Stingley should be a top-five lock in next year’s draft.
To check out Jeremiah’s full breakdown of Stingley at NFL.com, click here.
