NFL Draft: 5 Defensive prospects New York Giants must have on big board

LSU CB, Derek Stingley Jr.

Derek Stingley Jr. was among college football’s elite during LSU’s historic 2019 run. Over his freshman season, Stingley rose to prominence by recording 38 total tackles, six interceptions, and 15 passes defended.

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Since that 2019 season, from a numbers perspective, Stingley has come back down to earth. Over the past two seasons, in which he played just 10 total games, he totaled 35 total tackles, five defended passes, and zero interceptions.

While his numbers have taken a hit, Stingley is still regarded as not only a top cornerback prospect, but also one of the best prospects in this year’s class. His blend of speed and pure ability to lock down any opposing receiver allows Stingley to work on an island whenever he wants.

Over his entire college career, he lined up in man-coverage on 49% of his coverage snaps. You can argue that his numbers have taken a hit solely because opposing quarterbacks refuse to even look his way.

Stingley is the pure cornerback prospect that nearly every team looks for. He is able to keep up with anyone lined up across from him, regardless of who they are. His time spent in the SEC prepared him for the receivers that he will face on a regular basis in the NFL.

At 6-0 and 195 pounds, he is regarded as “undersized” by some but this has clearly not stopped him up to this point. If Stingley can play at a high-level each time that he steps out onto the field, he could become one of the best corners in the NFL. Putting him onto this defense would basically eliminate an entire portion of the field to opposing offenses.