Is Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. in for an All-Pro year? That was already a possibility for the rising star of DeMeco Ryans’ defense heading into his second preseason outing.
Fully healthy, the former No. 3 overall pick seems poised for a career-defining year and plays like the one in Saturday’s 28-10 win over the New York Giants certainly backs that statement.
During the opening drive, Stingley nearly picked off a pass intended for rookie receiver Malik Nabers for an easy touchdown against Daniel Jones. A slight stutter left the ball on the ground, but Stingley knew he wouldn’t miss a second time if Jones tested him again.
Following a pick-six from Jalen Pitre, Jones tried to hit well-covered Jalin Hyatt toward the end zone to tie the game. Stingley, who was running stride for stride with the former Biletnikoff Award receiver, took the inside track to make a diving interception.
Brian Daboll gave Derek Stingley Jr. his flowers post game on his interception.
“Stingley just made a nice play” pic.twitter.com/RpTxNysKXy
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) August 18, 2024
Giants coach Brian Daboll said postgame that while Jones made the correct read, Stingley made the better play.
“It was man-to-man high and Stingley made a good double move on there that turned into a go,” the third-year Giants coach said. “He left it a little bit inside on the right-hand side. Decision is fine but Stingley just made a nice play. We kind of left it inside on him.”
Stingley, who finished with a 97.5 grade from Pro Football Focus, has been on a warpath in just two brief instances. He’s played 23 total snaps and allowed zero completions while forcing two pass breakups and an interception.
Highest-graded Texans vs the Giants:
🥇 Derek Stingley Jr. – 97.5
🥈 Neville Hewitt – 94.2
🥉 Jalen Pitre – 90.8
🏅 John Metchie III – 89.5
🏅 Lonnie Johnson Jr. – 86.1 pic.twitter.com/LtRtwGmn3w— PFF HOU Texans (@PFF_Texans) August 19, 2024
Last season, Stingley lived up to his All-American billing from his time at LSU with five interceptions and 13 pass breakups in 11 games. He’s been one of the AFC’s top defensive backs when on the field, though injuries have hindered his All-Pro potential through two seasons.
If the Texans defender can remain off the injured reserve, he’s in for a career-defining campaign. Plays like the one on Saturday might be expected against quarterbacks like Jones, but they could become a common theme in coverage this fall, regardless of the passer.
