Mel Kiper explains why Derek Stingley makes sense for the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 NFL Draft

Former LSU Tigers cornerback Derek Stingley Jr is one of the most polarizing players in the 2022 NFL Draft. Stingley dealt with injuries throughout the past year, which has resulted in a bit of a fall in his draft stock. ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper released his updated mock on Tuesday, with Stingley going 12th overall to the Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota is in need of upgrades in the secondary, especially at corner. Stingley might have some concerns, but when at his best, he has shown that he has tremendous potential.

“New general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O’Connell inherit an aging defense from a front office that has had some notable first-round misses at cornerback in recent years, but that shouldn’t keep them from taking another swing,” Kiper said. “This is the position Minnesota needs most, and Stingley could be worth it.”

The Vikings have a new regime after moving on from head coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman after the end of this past season. Now, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah takes over as general manager and Kevin O’Connell, who just won a Super Bowl as the Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator, takes over as head coach. Stingley has tremendous upside, so he could be an attractive option for the Vikings at 12th overall in the NFL Draft.

Kiper: Stingley has work to do ahead of the NFL Draft

As a freshman at LSU in 2019, Stingley played in 15 games, totaling 38 tackles, six interceptions, and 15 passes defended. Over his last ten games across the past two years, Stingley has just 35 tackles with zero interceptions and five passes defended. He had zero passes defended this past season.

While we have seen how good Stingley can be when at his best, he hasn’t performed at that level since 2019. The talent is there, but Stingley undoubtedly has work to do to convince teams that he’s ready to return to that level of play. His interviews at the upcoming NFL Combine and his Pro Day will be pivotal in ultimately deciding how early he goes come draft night.

“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,” added Kiper. “He won’t be working out at the combine, which means his off-field work there — interviews with teams — will be crucial.”

Cincinnati corner Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner went eighth overall in Kiper’s mock, and he was the only other corner selected before Stingley.