Vikings Draft Profile: Could Minnesota Have Sights on Derek Stingley Jr.?
Josh Frey
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Prior to the 2021 CFB season, Derek Stingley Jr. was not only projected as the CB1 of this draft class, but as a potential top-3 pick. However, after a 2021 season in which the junior played just three games, his status going into April’s draft remains very much in the air. He still could end up being the first cornerback off the board, but there’s also the possibility that Stingley ends up falling out of the top 10. In fact, in his first mock draft of the season, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah sent Stingley to the Vikings at No. 12. Additionally, the No. 12 pick has been traded in three of the last six drafts. It begs the question, if the Vikings see Stingley falling down the board could they/should they make the move?
Statistics
- 2019 (15 Games): 38 tackles, 1 TFL, 15 PDs, 6 INTs, 1 FR
- 2020 (7 Games): 27 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 5 PDs, 1 FF, 1 FR
- 2021 (3 Games): 8 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1 FR
Strengths
Going into the 2019 season as the top recruit of the class, Stingley lived up to all the hype. His SEC-leading 15 pass defenses and six interceptions anchored the national championship defense. He showcased every skill of a lockdown corner, and if he was draft eligible, Stingley may have been CB1 of the 2020 class. So, what exactly made the LSU Tiger an intriguing prospect then and now?
Well, his ability in man-to-man coverage during that 2019 season was elite. His movements were smooth and intentional across the board. Then in zone, he watched the QB like a hawk. His tackling ability is great in coverage, and one thing he was able to improve on over the years, was his skills as a run-stopper.
Finally, his ball skills are off the charts. Imagine the type of impact Trevon Diggs had on the Dallas Cowboys, but without the massive pitfalls on a snap-to-snap basis. When he’s locked in, there is no reason to believe that Stingley can’t be an All-Pro level cornerback at the NFL level.
Weaknesses
Here’s the problem with a potential Vikings draft class including Stingley, though. He’s not always locked in. Between injuries and lack of effort over the past two years, there’s not much to say that he would be anything more than a Day Two selection. He’s played a total of 10 games without an interception since 2019. When he hasn’t missed time with injuries, it seems that Stingley has been riding the championship wave for the past two years.
Other than durability and effort questions, there’s also the fact that when matched up against other top wide receivers, he’s struggled. Devonta Smith got the best of him every time they matched up. These are all major red flags for a potential top-10 selection.
Stingley’s Fit on the 2022 Vikings
Assuming Stingley goes into his NFL career with a chip on his shoulder, this is a no-brainer. Stingley’s talent is the exact anchor that Minnesota needs in their secondary. Combine him with Cam Dantzler, and that is a duo that could have success for years to come. Not to mention, the Vikings have a deep portal into LSU already that could make him feel right at home. The versatility to play outside, nickel, and even some safety would fit on any NFL team. Depending on his mindset, Stingley could end up being the bust or the steal of the 2022 draft class.