Latest news with #Stingley
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans' Derek Stingley Jr. named NFL's top three cornerback by coaches, execs and scouts
How good is Houston Texans All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. following his breakout season last fall? Let's just say NFL coaches, executives and personnel members think only the reigning Defensive Player of the Year is better than him entering 2025. ESPN polled talent evaluators from around the league on the top 10 cornerbacks entering training camp. Denver Broncos star Patrick Surtain II garnered the top spot following a record-setting season under Sean Payton's defense. Trailing close behind was Stingley, who received several votes for the No. 1 spot, but also ranked as low as No. 4. "Best ball skills in the league, in my opinion," an NFC personnel evaluator told ESPN. "Some of the INTs and tracking the ball in the air, it's rare. That pick against Tyreek [Hill], 99% of DBs in league aren't making that play." Last season, Stingley set the standard in a top-10 secondary en route to helping Houston clinch a second AFC South division title. He finished second in pass breakups (18), sixth in interceptions (5) and allowed the second-lowest completion percentage among cornerbacks with at least 200 coverage snaps (46.7%), according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Houston knew losing Stingley wasn't an option, so it negotiated a new three-year extension worth $90 million this offseason to keep him around through 2029. At $30 million annually, he became the highest-paid defensive back in league history before the New York Jets inked Sauce Gardner, the 2022 No. 4 overall pick, to a four-year, $120.4 million extension earlier this month. While Gardner will earn more over four years, Stingley's $30 million annual salary remains the second-highest in league history. The difference? His $89 million guaranteed is still the highest-paid in total money. "He's physical, a lot thicker than he looks, movement skills explosive," an NFC assistant coach said. "He has always had this in his game; he just had a slow start to his career due to injury." As the Texans' No. 1 corner, Stingley gave up just 4.9 yards per target while allowing 42 completions on 90 targets. Opposing quarterbacks produced a 56.9 passer rating against him, which led all corners with at least 50 targets. In three seasons, Stingley's 31 pass breakups and 10 interceptions rank top five among all defensive backs. The Texans return to practice on Wednesday for the start of training camp.
USA Today
06-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans rebuild entire roster in new building-from-scratch NFL player draft
What would happen if the Houston Texans were forced to rebuild their roster? Better yet, what if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told every team that much like in Madden, a fantasy draft was the new norm for the 2025? How many Texans would show up with the AFC South champions? How many would join rivals like Indianapolis, Jacksonville and Tennessee? Which players from Houston would be considered first-round talents? Chad Reuter put together a hypothetical seven-round draft where teams would build their team from scratch and the order would be the order of the 2025 NFL draft, but then reversed order every round. So the Texans might select at No. 25 for Round 1, but they'd be at Pick No. 40 in Round 2. So, how did the Texans fare? Let's just say DeMeco Ryans should be ecstatic about the selections to build a foundation around his defese for the long haul. NFL building-from-scratch player draft: Houston Texans Analysis From a defensive standpoint, this group would be an excellent start to contend from the jump, plus Houston would get a few No. 1 options at critical positions on the offensive line and wide receiver position. However, the Texans ignored a pair of premium positions at tackle and tight end. In Round 1, C.J. Stroud was off within the first 20 picks, but Derek Stingley and Will Anderson were still in on the board. Without the right option at QB, Houston lands perhaps the league's best defensive tackle in Jones, who's posted back-to-back double-digit sack seasons in 2022 and 2023. While Stingley was still on the board at No. 40, passing on the league's consensus top corner in Surtain would be foolish. Yes, Stingley has been one of the league's elite defensive backs over the past two seasons, but the All-Pro defender from Denver just won Defensive Player of the Year after being targeted on just 10.9% of his coverage snaps this season -- the lowest rate among 83 cornerbacks with 300 or more coverage snaps. In Round 3, Danielle Hunter was selected within the first five picks, taking him out of the conversation before any deal could be struck. The same goes for former Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil (No. 71), Anderson (No. 73) and Nico Collins (No. 76). Outside of receiver Drake London and offensive tackle Jake Matthews, Humphrey, who likely is now the league's top center following Frank Ragnow's retirement, makes the most sense. In Round 4, pickings are slim at quarterback. Tyler Shough was the only other quarterback left on the board. So Richardson, who still has upside and a runner, might fit in Nick Caley's offense just fine. In Round 5, Houston secures a former Pro Bowler off the edge in Lawrence, though Rashan Gary might have more upside because of his age. Last season with the Cowboys, Lawrence only played in four games, so perhaps a change of scenery could do wonders for his career. In Round 6, Winfield is a great addition on the back end who will fit Ryans' S.W.A.R.M. mentality with a hard-hitting demeanor. In Round 7, the Texans finally land a receiver with Aiyuk, who, despite coming off a torn ACL, likely was the best option among pass-catchers.
NBC Sports
02-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Sauce Gardner "aware" what Derek Stingley, Jaycee Horn are making
Coming off a disappointing 2024 season, Sauce Gardner added weight and muscle this offseason. He is hoping for a better season in 2025, along with a better contract. The Jets opened negotiations with the two-time All-Pro earlier this offseason, and Gardner is encouraged by talks. 'It's been pretty productive,' Gardner said on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday. 'We have our goals in terms of numbers and stuff, and the Jets are aware of that. And I'm aware of the rest of my peers like Jaycee [Horn], [Derek] Stingley, Pat [Surtain] got paid, obviously before me, but those are all guys that are well deserving of the money that they got. It's definitely something my team and the Jets are talking about.' Gardner, who turns 25 next month, surely expects more than the three-year, $90 million extension Stingley signed with the Texans. Horn's annual average ranks second to Stingley after he signed a four year, $100 million contract extension with the Panthers in March. Gardner became eligible for an extension after last season. He is due to make $1.1 million base salary this season, with a $10.643 million cap hit. He made All-Pro and the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons.
USA Today
18-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
See which Texans players cracked CBS Sports' top-100 player list
See which Texans players cracked CBS Sports' top-100 player list The 2025 NFL season is quickly approaching (in a few months), which means everyone is beginning to take a hard look at the state of the league, which teams are filled with standout players and who could have the biggest impact on the year's outcome. CBS Sports' Pete Prisco ranked his top 100 players heading into the 2025 season. Four Houston Texans made the list, with two landing inside the top 50 and one inside the top 25. All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. was ranked the highest at No. 23 and No. 2 ranked defensive back, trailing only Denver Broncos star and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II. Last season, Prisco rated Stingley at No. 80 overall. New York Jets All-Pro Sauce Gardner, who was selected after Stingley, came in at No. 24. "Stingley Jr. has emerged as one of the best cover players in the league after a so-so rookie season in 2022, which is why the Texans rewarded him with a big extension," Prisco wrote. "He had five interceptions in 2024." Not only did Stingley finish top five in interceptions, but he also posted 18 pass breakups (second most) and allowed the second-lowest completion percentage among cornerbacks with at least 200 coverage snaps (46.7%), according to NFL Next Gen Stats. His performance led to a new three-year, $90 million extension this offseason, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the league with an annual $30 million salary. Defensive end Danielle Hunter joined Stingley inside the top 50 after a promising first season with the Texans, coming in at No. 47. The native Houstonian wasn't the top name on the Texans' defensive line, but his consistency and pressure rate allowed Will Anderson Jr. to go untouched in most instances en route to a breakout second season. "Hunter had 12 sacks in his first season with the Texans, giving him three straight double-digit sack seasons and five straight in seasons where he's played at least 16 games," Prisco wrote. "He is a force off the edge, teaming with Will Anderson Jr. to give the Texans a nice combo." Anderson, who totaled a team-leading 13.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss, cracked the top 60 at No. 56. His lethal speed and hand usage makes him one of the rising stars entering a pivotal year ahead of contract negotiations. "In his second season, Anderson Jr. had 13.5 sacks for the Texans," wrote Prisco. "He pairs with Danielle Hunter to give Houston one of the best edge-rushing duos in the league." Even after missing five games, Nico Collins made the list at No. 67. Among receivers, Prisco listed him as the No. 9 pass-catcher entering this fall, but it has more to do with his time off the field than on it. Even in 12 games, he averaged over 14 yards per catch and finished with over 1,000 receiving yards for the second straight season. "Bothered by injuries, Collins played in just 12 games last season as the Texans offense took a step back," Prisco wrote. "When he was on the field, he was still a big-play threat with 68 catches and seven touchdowns. He averaged 14.8 per catch, which was down from the year before." Oddly enough, neither quarterback C.J. Stroud nor running back Joe Mixon made the list despite their statistical accomplishments in 2024 and predicted consistency heading into the season. Prisco ranked 11 other quarterbacks and eight other running backs, which should give you an indication of where the Texans' backfield could rank in his eyes. The Texans open the regular season on the road against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 7.
USA Today
05-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans All-Pro CB Derek Stingley Jr. ranked inside the top-32 by PFF
Texans All-Pro CB Derek Stingley Jr. ranked inside the top-32 by PFF Derek Stingley Jr. proved that his rise in 2023 was just the beginning. Last season, the former No. 3 overall pick proved he was an elite shutdown defender who might be considered among the best players in the league for the 2025 season as the Houston Texans look to compete for a spot in the AFC Championship game. Coming off an All-Pro season, Stingley totaled five interceptions (tied for sixth most), 18 pass breakups (second most) and allowed the second-lowest completion percentage among cornerbacks with at least 200 coverage snaps (46.7%), according to NFL Next Gen Stats in 2024. That led to a new three-year, $90 million extension this offseason, making Stingley the highest-paid cornerback in the league with an annual $30 million salary. But while Stingley might have the respect from the Texans, is he the No. 1 cornerback entering 2025 based on projections? Not according to Pro Football Focus, which listed him as the No. 5 defensive back behind New York's Sauce Gardner, Denver's Pat Surtain II, Kansas City's Trent McDuffie and Chicago's Jaylon Johnson. "After a poor rookie season, Stingley has generated a 90.3 PFF coverage grade over the past two seasons — the best mark among all cornerbacks," John Koso wrote. "The 2022 No. 3 overall pick plays a high-risk, high-reward brand of football and threads that needle well, as his 12 interceptions across the past two years lead the league." Even after a down rookie season, Stingley made up for the lack of production with two Pro Bowl-caliber seasons. Fully healthy, he's been the definition of consistent when asked to line up in man coverage and an enforcer in one-on-one battles against top receivers. The highest-paid defensive back should begin the season as the top name opposite Kamari Lassiter in the AFC. In time with another dominant campaign, he should land no lower than No. 2 and compete with Surtain for Defensive Player of the Year accolades for the long haul. The Texans open the season against Davante Adams and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 7.
