As a result, Derek Stingley Jr. has become one of the NFL’s most dangerous cornerbacks. He displays an incredible combination of skill and instincts that has changed the game for defensive backs. Dating back to Week 10 of the 2023 season, he has accrued an unreal 38 PBUs and INTs. By accomplishing this feat, he has certainly solidified his case on Houston Texans’ roster. Stingley has come back healthy after suffering a hamstring injury in week one. Now, he’s poised to do even bigger things as the Texans prepare to host the Buffalo Bills at home in Houston.
Stingley Jr. was introduced to the game of football at four years old. His dad — Derek Stingley Sr. — started training him at that young age of just four years old. It’s through this early mentorship that has unquestionably initiated his peace of mind and creativity within the game that we all enjoy watching today. To that end, “I don’t know how to do it,” Stingley Jr. confessed. To this day, he modestly attributes his standout playstyle and prodigious sense to read his opponents.
His elite athleticism is matched by a cerebral offensive approach with coverage versatility. Different from most other cornerbacks, Stingley hardly ever uses two-handed jams to throw opponents receivers’ timing off at the line. Instead, he relies on his keen ability to read body language, a skill praised by his cornerbacks coach, Dino Vasso. Vasso noted, “The man can’t beat you. Only the ball can,” highlighting Stingley’s focus on anticipating the quarterback’s intentions rather than solely reacting to the receiver.
Dating back to the beginning of last season, Stingley has been targeted 35 times on throws over 20 yards. That’s 28 more than any other cornerback in the entire league. For his part, the ever-improving Davis has already returned six interceptions for touchdowns and defended passes 16 times. Remarkably, he’s given up just five catches on the season. This absurdly incredible statistic illustrates his otherworldly talent perfectly. It further speaks to the unimaginable level of trust he’s built up with coaches and fans throughout the state.
So even after a season filled with challenges, testifying with his missed games due to injury, Stingley’s return has rejuvenated the Texans’ defense. Further, his alignment in press coverage gives him more space to flat out lay claim to both of his run-stuffing plays at the line of scrimmage. On top of that, Stingley has experience playing in the slot, which could provide additional playmaking upside in a versatile role. He played there for 13 snaps total last season.
In last month’s battle against Jared Goff’s Detroit Lions, Goff tossed five picks. Stingley was only targeted once because quarterbacks are beginning to avoid aiming at him. His unique capacity to draw out quarterbacks without actually meaning to is a skillset validator in and of itself. It’s to create misdirection underneath. “Sometimes, they can just look more open than what they are vertical,” he said. He continued, “Yet, most of the quarterbacks out there cannot make that perfect deep ball 60 yards down the field.”
Combined with his catching technique, Stingley’s playmaking potential is through the roof. He refers to his approach as being “24/7.” He changes his hands depending on the angle of the ball, snagging it at 12 o’clock over his head and at 3 o’clock down his right flank. This approach enables him to respond in real-time and more effectively during the most consequential in-game moments.
It’s Texans week, folks, and Houston is preparing for a showdown with the Bills this weekend. Stingley Jr. is looking forward to seizing more opportunities to make game-changing plays! His ever-expanding list of accomplishments and abilities just keeps going up. He has proven to be the most exciting young talent on the field today.
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