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NFL Draft 2022: Houston Texans select Derek Stingley Jr No.3 overall

By Sravan Gannavarapu

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 13: A backview of Cornerback Derek Stingley, Jr. #24 of the LSU Tigers during the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. LSU defeated Clemson 42 to 25. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 13: A backview of Cornerback Derek Stingley, Jr. #24 of the LSU Tigers during the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. LSU defeated Clemson 42 to 25. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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Armed with a new coach, multiple picks, and the task of rebuilding, the Houston Texans take Derek Stingley Jr., No.3 overall, with the hope of resurrection and redemption coming along with him. 

Deshaun Watson is gone, Davis Mills has taken over, and the Houston Texans now have Lovie Smith as head coach and the third overall pick in the draft.  Not exactly what the Space City had in mind back in 2017, but things can change unexpectedly in the NFL, as we all know.

There is no question that Smith will be looking to turn around the defense and likely implement the same Cover 2 scheme that earned him props in Chicago.

Still, he will also need to find a way to improve the offense, which under his stewardship in Chicago and Tampa Bay haven’t necessarily been the cream of the crop. They were effective and had moments but not as consistent as the defense.

With all that said, Houston avoids several trade offers and instead stays at No.3 and takes Derek Stingley Jr out of LSU. It’s not a surprising move, and frankly, Houston will need Stingley to thrive if Smith wants to start his Houston tenure on the right note. The good news? There are some positives.

The Houston Texans start the Lovie Smith era off on defense with the selection of Derek Stingley Jr. with the 3rd overall pick.

The college football career of Derek Stingley Jr is a fascinating tale. As a freshman, he contributed to LSU’s national championship team. Six interceptions and 15 pass deflections were good enough for a first-team All-SEC selection.

Since then, not much has been said about Stingley Jr. In 2021, he only started three games, meaning durability could cause concern. He does have NFL blood, being the grandson of Darryl Stingley, who is known for being on the receiving end of a vicious hit to the head by the late Oakland Raiders safety Jack Tatum.

Nonetheless, his size and physical makeup, combined with how he produces when on the field, warrant all the attention. The question is whether or not he can stay on the field consistently.

When Stingley Jr is on his mark, he’s hard to stop. If not, there are questions. It’s a risk that the Texans will have to take, banking on the good more than the bad.

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