Houston Texans third-year cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. couldn’t have asked for a better season.
No, really, not many players earn All-Pro honors heading into negotiations for a new deal that will make them the highest-paid player at their respective position. Stingley, who could earn a clean sweep in first-team All-Pro accolades, did all that and then some in 2024.
After starting in all 17 games for the first time in his career, Stingley posted record-setting numbers in nearly every category, including total tackles (54), pass breakups (18) and tackles for loss (four). The former No.3 overall pick also posted his second consecutive season with five interceptions.
Pro Football Focus took notice of Stingley’s surging season, naming him one of the five most improved defensive backs in the second half of the 2024 season.
“Stingley’s aura grew and grew as the season went on, and the former first-round pick has fully asserted himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL,” PFF wrote. “His 81.3 grade in the second half of the season was sixth at the position, and he went into full lockdown mode, allowing a 40.6% completion percentage — third-lowest in the NFL.”
Stingley’s five interceptions were tied for the team-high with rookie safety Calen Bullock and ranked as the fourth-most in the NFL this season, while his 18 pass breakups stood as the second-most in the league.
The highest-graded Texans in the Wild Card round vs the Chargers:
Derek Stingley Jr. – 93.6
Kamari Lassiter – 89.5
Nico Collins – 88.4
Full grades: https://t.co/VH8Vak4dmO pic.twitter.com/qafih2WEaW
— PFF HOU Texans (@PFF_Texans) January 13, 2025
According to NextGenStats, Stingley allowed the lowest passer rating (56.9) and lowest completion percentage (46.7%) among cornerbacks who played at least 400 coverage snaps this season.
Stingley said he wants to be with the Texans for the rest of his career. After his dominant campaign in coverage, Houston would be foolish to let him way in free agency.