Derek Stingley reveals best wide receiver he's faced in his career at the NFL Combine

Ahead of his 2022 NFL Combine workouts, former LSU cornerback Derek Stingley addressed who the toughest receiver he’s ever had to guard is, and it wouldn’t be who you think. Ja’Marr Chase, a former LSU star reciever-turned rookie sensation for the Cincinnati Bengals, was his answer.

Chase and Stingley were teammates in Baton Rouge during the Tigers’ undefeated national championship run in 2019, and likely went one-on-one in practice every single day. The two are now reaping the benefits of those intense practice sessions together.

“I know he made my game better and I hope I did the same for him,” Stingley said.

ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper recently revealed his second mock draft, and he had Stingley going 12th overall to the Minnesota Vikings. Kiper expects Stingley to be the second corner off the board behind Cincinnati’s Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner. His LSU counterpart in Chase went 5th overall to the Miami Dolphins one year ago.

“Going into my second year and throughout my second year, I felt it was just as good as my freshman year,” Stingley said. “Freshman year I had over 90 targets. Sophomore year I had 30. If anything, that should just say I was doing my job.”

Quarterbacks simply didn’t want to throw his way, likely worried the ball-hawking defender would find a way to haul in the football or break the pass up. Give Chase credit for Stingley’s, as his ability to guard players man-to-man in the open field and going against Chase every single day is likely a contributing factor to his defensive prowess.

If you ask Stingley about his draft status, he’ll tell you the picks should be flipped. “I know myself and I know that when I’m at the best version of myself, I’m the greatest,” he said. One reason for the drop in draft status is due to his season-ending foot injury after playing just three games last season.

“Derek Stingley Jr. confirms he tore his Lis Franc ligament in his foot week four of last season,” The Draft Network’s Carmen Vitali tweeted. “He’s still rehabbing currently & won’t be partaking in workouts here in Indy but is ahead of schedule in his progress and on pace to fully participate in his pro day … Had surgery on Sept. 29 and was given a timetable of 4-6 months recovery.”

According to the timetable, Stingley should be back at full health within the next few weeks and is expected to work out for teams at LSU’s Pro Day on April 6.

“Stingley needs to show NFL teams that he can get back to the way he played in 2019, when had six picks as a true freshman on LSU’s national title team,” Kiper said. “He won’t be working out at the combine, which means his off-field work there — interviews with teams — will be crucial.”