Derek Stingley Jr. primed for a 'big year' with Texans

There’s plenty of interest around the Houston Texans considering their recent run of high draft picks. While that conversation might surround CJ Stroud and Will Anderson after the 2023 NFL Draft, though, DJ Bien-Aime says don’t overlook second-year CB Derek Stingley Jr.

Bien-Aime named Stingley as an offseason standout for the Texans in a recent article at ESPN. He said that he has improved his body following his rookie season in Houston and, as he heads into the fall, Bien-Aime believes that he could be in for a breakout second season.

“Stingley, the No. 3 overall pick in last year’s draft, looks physically improved compared to his rookie year. His ability has jumped out consistently throughout the spring,” Bien-Aime wrote. “He was drafted one spot ahead of the eventual Defensive Rookie of the Year Sauce Gardner, who was also first-team All-Pro. The comparison between the two won’t stop. But, if this momentum continues for Stingley, he can have a big year.”

Stingley played in nine games in 2022 as he worked his way back from injury concerns that he had while in college. In those appearances, he produced 43 tackles, five pass deflections, a sack, and an interception.

That came after the Texans selected him with the No. 3 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of LSU. In his three seasons in Baton Rouge, Stingly proved himself as a top defensive back prospect, especially considering he was the 2019 class’s No. 1 CB recruit, as he recorded 73 tackles, 20 pass deflections, six picks, and a pair of forced fumbles.

Again, Stroud and Anderson will dominate the narrative around Houston’s future considering they’re a pair of top-three selections. However, Bien-Aime reminded everyone that the Texans have another top-three pick from the year prior in Stingley that could produce in a big way as early as the 2023 campaign.

Stingley Jr. describes expectations for second season

Year two with the Houston Texans is loading for Derek Stingley Jr., the former first-round pick. Stingley was able to find success as a rookie but with a new head coach coming into the building, he is looking to up the level. Considering he was a good cover corner last season, it may be difficult to improve.

One area Stingley can already see improvement in is his field vision. The defensive back feels like the game is playing out in front of him a little more, potentially slowing down as well. Stingley has worked on being able to process what is unfolding in front of his eyes. Thus far, it’s paying off in a big way.

“Oh, I feel like I’ve improved and I’m seeing the whole field at a faster rate,” Stingley Jr. said via KPRC 2. “I could kind of see it last year and in the years before that, but Year One to Year Two, you can see the pace a little bit more. Nothing’s really unexpected. Nothing really catches you off-guard anymore. I mean, it’s nice.”

Now, the goal is to be healthy for an entire season. Working with Houston strength and conditioning coach Mike Eubanks is helping the process move along. The two apparently work together every single day, with Stingley being able to add muscle to his frame.

“I put in a lot of work every day with coach Mike,” Stingley said. “I didn’t even realize it until I started seeing everybody saying, ‘You got big, you got swole.’ Even when I was in high school, I always had muscle. It is a little different now.”

With all of the offseason work, expectations are bound to be high for Stingley. Head coach DeMeco Ryans will only help the cause too, being one of the top defensive minds in all of football. Big things ahead in Houston for the DB.