Cardinals among 9 NFL teams working out LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr.
Apr 6, 2022, 10:07 AM | Updated: 10:15 am
Derek Stingley Jr. #7 of the LSU Tigers reacts against the UCLA Bruins in the first quarter at Rose Bowl on September 04, 2021 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals and the rest of the NFL were in Louisiana for LSU’s pro day on Wednesday.
The Cardinals also got a closer look at cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., marking one of nine teams whose DB coaches worked out the junior during the pro day, per the Senior Bowl’s Jim Nagy.
Stingley burst on the scene his freshman year in 2019, posting six interceptions, 15 passes defensed and 38 tackles over 15 games.
The same can’t be said over the past two seasons, however.
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In 2020, Stingley missed three games due to illness and injury before playing just three contests in 2021 before going down with a Lisfranc injury. His stats took a noticeable hit, combining for 35 tackles, five passes defensed and two forced fumbles over the past two seasons (10 games).
Despite the downturn, Stingley remains one of the top cornerbacks in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft. He helped his stock even more on Wednesday with a 4.37-second 40-yard dash.
Derek Stingley with a 4.37 per the board at #LSU pic.twitter.com/3BVyqNa39W
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) April 6, 2022
ESPN analyst Todd McShay has the corner going 12th overall to the Minnesota Vikings in his latest mock draft on Tuesday. Stingley ranks ninth on ESPN analyst Mel Kiper’s big board posted earlier this week.
And with the Cardinals’ first pick coming at No. 23, Arizona will likely need Stingley to fall or trade up to be in the position to draft him.
NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein has compared Stingley to five-time Pro Bowler Stephon Gilmore.
Uniquely gifted cornerback with rare blend of size, speed and explosiveness that will have teams willing to judge his upside off of tape from two seasons ago. Stingley played in just 10 games over the last two years, offering flashes of his upside rather than sustained play.
Regardless of season, he’s long, loose and extremely athletic. Elite speed and ball skills give him a chance to thrive as a bump-and-run corner capable of shadowing top talent around the field.
While there are numerous holes to fill on both sides of the football, adding another cornerback to the DBs room wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing for the Cardinals.
Outside of returning starters Byron Murphy and Marco Wilson, Arizona’s cornerbacks room includes recently signed Jeff Gladney, Breon Borders, Jace Whittaker and Nate Brooks.
