Derek Stingley Jr. is an All-Pro for the first time in his career.
The third-year cornerback is the first Houston Texans player to earn the accolade since DeAndre Hopkins in 2019.
He’s the first defensive player to earn the title since three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt made the team in 2018.
But while Stingley now has the title, he wasn’t alone in the running to earn the accolade entering the playoffs.
Left tackle Laremy Tunsil received five votes, including one first-place vote, and four votes for second-team All-Pro. Defensive end Danielle Hunter received 12 second-place votes. And second-year standout Will Anderson Jr. received one second-place vote., but it wasn’t enough for them to make the list.
Stingley, the former No. 3 pick, broke out after starting 17 games for the first time in career. He posted career-highs in nearly every category, including total tackles (54), passes defensed (18) and tackles for loss (four), while also posting his second consecutive season with five interceptions.
Stingley’s five interceptions were tied for the team-high with rookie safety Calen Bullock and ranked as the fourth-most in the NFL this season, while his 18 passes defensed stood as the second-most in the League.
According to NextGenStats, Stingley allowed the lowest passer rating (56.9) and lowest completion percentage (46.7%) among cornerbacks who played at least 400 coverage snaps this season.
Stingley was also named to the NFLPA’s All-Pro team and earned his first Pro Bowl nod.
Stingley and the Texans host the Chargers at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at NRG Stadium. The game will be nationally televised on CBS and Parmount+.
