Derek Stingley

Stingley gets an incomplete grade for the 2022 season, as the rookie first-round pick's season ended after Week 10. The LSU product stepped immediately into the starting lineup Week 1 and was picked on heavily early. Stingley had a particularly bad day against the Broncos in Week 2, which dragged down his coverage grade (49.9, 187th per Pro Football Focus). However, after the first five weeks, opponents stopped throwing as much at the cornerback, who did not cede a touchdown over nearly 600 snaps. Overall, he logged 43 tackles, an interception, five passes broken up and a sack in nine games.

During the offseason, former defensive coordinator and current head coach Lovie Smith stated the Texans needed to improve at cornerback, and the organization followed through on that need. First came the signing of free agent Steve Nelson, a seven-year veteran. Joining him will be Stingley, taken third overall in the draft. The 6-1, 195-pounder was an impressive press-cover corner at LSU since joining the program as an 18-year-old and led the SEC in passes defensed and interceptions as a freshman in 2019. The knocks on him are the injuries that forced him to miss 11 games over his final two years with the Tigers, and NFL scouts have questioned is willingness as a run stopper. Stingley played both sides of the field and some slot while at LSU, and Smith told him on draft night that he'll be lining up against opponents' top receivers.