The 2022 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Derek Stingley 2022 NFL Draft Profile.
Derek Stingley Background
Position: Cornerback
Size: 6-foot-1, 195 pounds
Class: Junior
2021 stats: 8 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble (3 games played)
Stingley has been one of the better players in college football over his three-year career at LSU. He is now set to be one of the first defensive backs taken in the 2022 NFL Draft.
As a five-star prospect from the state of Louisiana, Stingley decided to stay in-state and play for the Tigers. He made an instant impact as a freshman after enrolling early. Stingley totaled 15 passes defended and six interceptions on his way to being a First Team All-American. LSU won the National Championship that season. The 2020 season did not go so well for the Tigers or for Stngley, as he missed some time with an injury and LSU went just 5-5. He was still named All-SEC despite missing games, as he totaled 27 tackles and five passes defended. After returning for his junior season, Stingley only played three games before being ruled out indefinitely with a foot injury. He had just eight tackles and one forced fumble on the season.
While the injuries hampered him over the final two seasons of his LSU career, Stingley had done enough already to prove his worth as a draft prospect. He is currently projected to be a top 10 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Derek Stingley Strengths
Stingley fits the athletic profile of a modern-day NFL corner. He has solid size and length, which help him be disruptive. His athleticism is elite for a corner coming out. Stingley has solid speed, quickness and agility and should test well athletically. If he gives up space, he has more than enough recovery speed to get back into the picture defensively. He won’t have trouble matching up with the NFL’s best athletes and has demonstrated the ability to be a good press-man corner.
His ability to play with good discipline, which is shown through his patience. He has good footwork at the start of the play and stays patient while the receiver he is guarding starts his release at the snap of the ball. Stingley has smooth hips to turn and run with the receiver he is guarding as well. His discipline helps him to stay with receivers as they get downfield and ensures that he doesn’t get called for pass interference very often.
He can make plays on the ball with relative consistency. Stingley uses his recovery speed well and shows good burst late to go after the football. He attacks the catch-point aggressively to either swat the ball down or intercept it. If he has a shot to intercept the ball, he usually does, demonstrating his solid hands in the process. Once he has the ball in his hands he is a threat to return it for big yardage.
Derek Stingley Weaknesses
Stingley simply hasn’t been totally healthy the last two seasons. The best season of football he played was his freshman season, when he was last healthy for his full season. Questions will arise about his durability and doctors will have to check out his ankle and foot injuries. Stingley needs to regain his form and health from his freshman season early in his career.
While he has demonstrated the ability to play decent zone coverage, he is much better in man to man. In zone, he plays very conservatively and just tries not to give up big plays. If he were more aggressive, he could make even more plays on the ball. Along with him laying back in zone coverage, there were times where he followed a man outside of the zone and someone else would get a catch where he was supposed to be. Teams that play man coverage will be more likely to draft Stingley because of this.
As mentioned with his zone coverage, Stingley needs to play more aggressively. That starts with his zone coverage, but also applies to his ability to stop the run. There are times where he is aggressive in both scenarios, but there are also times where he could be more aggressive. When he plays like his hair is on fire, he is such an impact player.
Projected Draft Range: Top 10 Pick
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