This 2022 NFL Draft has gifted us with a load of defensive backs maybe even more talented than 2021.

The name headlining this year’s draft class: Derek Stingley Jr. The former Louisiana State University Tiger is poised to be potentially one of the best defensive backs. In a class that also boasts the likes of Kyle Hamilton, Ahmad Gardner, and others, that’s certainly high praise.

Name: Derek Stingley Jr.

Position: Cornerback

Height: 6’1’

Weight: 190 pounds

School: LSU

NFL Comparison: Stephon Gilmore

Strengths

Derek Stingley Jr. is built like a dream cornerback. He has the height, weight, and arm length to go toe-to-toe with any receiver. His build reminds me of Jaycee Horn from last year: someone built in Madden. Stingley Jr. possesses the natural talent to be an elite man-coverage corner. His hips are fluid, his arms are lengthy, he has the speed to run with most receivers, and can track the ball in 50/50 situations. You can line him up against an opposing team’s wide receiver and essentially zero them out. While no one will ever replicate “the island” the way Darrelle Revis did, he could fulfil a similar role if he is as good as one may believe.

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Weaknesses

“…if he is as good as one may believe.” The biggest issue with Stingley has been his recent film. He’s only played in 10 games over the past two seasons for a variety of reasons. In those 10 games, Stingley has put together mediocre film compared to his All-American play earlier in his career. He hasn’t played with a dominating edge that Patrick Surtain II or Jaycee Horn played with. When watching his film, he’s very good, but he doesn’t quite have that dog in him. Maybe he’s still riding his freshman year coattails. Maybe he knows he’s great and is playing down to competition. Maybe he doesn’t love football, he just likes it.

He struggles in zone coverage, which is his biggest weakness. He’s not very quick to snap to receivers when he’s zoned out, he isn’t great at getting off blocks, and his tackling leaves something to be desired. He makes business decisions a few times too many for me. Especially now, considering how valued a physical, tackling corner is in today’s League, he’ll need to step it up.

Final Thoughts

Stingley Jr. is highly sought after for what his potential could be, which is what makes him a boom-or-bust prospect. If he can correct the issues and play back to an elite level again, he can be the best cornerback or defensive player to come out of this draft. But right now, he isn’t. There are just too many questions about him right now, and his willingness to improve and play at a high level.

Stingley Jr. should be targeted by a man-coverage team. He has yet to show an ability to play well in zone, and if he could, he would’ve put it on film by now. He has the potential to be a great lockdown man coverage corner. He is a very good defensive player, but he is not the best cornerback in the 2022 Draft Class.

Even as an LSU fan, I have grown to hold serious reservations about his playing abilities. You’re only as good as what you put on film, and right now his film is mediocre at best. There is huge upside potential in drafting him. But he could also bust entirely. He’ll go somewhere in the Top 10, but frankly has no business doing so.

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