As we are just months away from the 2022 NFL draft, we are doing our annual evaluations on prospects.
With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely.
Today, we are taking a look at LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.
40-yard Dash: N/A
Bench Press: N/A
Vertical Jump: N/A
Broad Jump: N/A
3-Cone Drill: N/A
20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
Career: Consensus All-American and All-SEC in 2019 as one of the most impactful true freshmen in LSU history. Recorded 73 tackles, six interceptions, and 20 passes defended in 25 games.
Red Flags: Has missed 13 games over the last two seasons after starting every game as a freshman in 2019.
Strengths: Phenomenal mover that quickly slides and sticks to the receiver’s hip. Excellent at mirroring his assignment on all levels, keeping pace through breakpoints and closing gaps of separation quickly. Hard to fool vertically due to top-notch recovery speed and exercises good discipline in man coverage. Changes direction fluidly without losing speed and has great burst to the catch point. Stays balanced during press with swift strikes and commanding hand-fighting technique. Gets head around to play the ball often while in phase with the receiver, showcasing solid tracking and soft hands. Willing, physical tackler with sound form and confidence that launches his frame accurately to take down ball carriers in open space.
Weaknesses: Struggles to disengage from blocks when attempting to help the run. Can allow himself to drift in zone coverage reading the quarterback. After dominant freshman season, saw less action in his final two years at LSU, which caused him to become a more disinterested defender when his target was not in the play.
Final Word: With hips oilier than a salad vinaigrette dressing, the ability to wipe away an area of the field in man coverage, and a great blend of athleticism, toughness, and play instinct, Stingley projects as a future starter at the outside cornerback position that has the option to fill in at the slot if needed.
Fit Likelihood: High, but unlikely based on where he is projected (top-10)
Grade: 1st
Film Highlights
Stingley’s press man coverage talents, stickiness, and physicality versus Texas A&M in 2019.
Can't sing Derek Stingley's praise enough in press man coverage. Supplies friction through the release, transfers from the receiver's outside to inside hip, zippers vertical distance closed, makes his man work through him back to the throw. pic.twitter.com/JZYxAiXjOV
— Cole Topham (@HamAnalysis) January 12, 2022
Stingley’s play recognition, adaptation, and athleticism on display in the 2019 SEC Championship against Georgia.
Here are two speed outs defended by Derek Stingley Jr. He played the first rep well, but watch the tweak in approach after the initial backpedal extended his pursuit.
Later, Stingley stood his ground and fired his hips to jump the route. Took notes and adapted for the takeaway. pic.twitter.com/18RTANdei1
— Cole Topham (@HamAnalysis) January 12, 2022
Stingley making a critical 3rd-and-1 tackle on dual-threat UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson in 2021.
Derek Stingley can tackle, too pic.twitter.com/mPVjW6h2dJ
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) September 5, 2021