Derek Stingley Jr is a high draft pick in latest 247Sports NFL mock draft
By Zach Ragan
Could LSU football have a player drafted in the top five of the NFL draft for a fourth straight year in 2022?
According to the latest mock draft from 247Sports, it’s likely.
247Sports’ Joal Ryan revealed his latest mock draft this week and he has stud cornerback Derek Stingley Jr going No. 3 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft to the New York Jets.
Stingley, a former five-star recruit from Baton Rouge, was rated as the No. 3 overall player in the 2019 recruiting class. He quickly delivered on the hype, becoming one of the best defensive players in the country as a true freshman.
If Stingley is selected in the top five of the 2022 NFL Draft, he’ll follow in the footsteps of wide receiver JaMarr Chase (No. 5 to the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2021 NFL Draft), quarterback Joe Burrow (No. 1 to the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2020 NFL Draft), and linebacker Devin White (No. 5 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2019 NFL Draft).
Stingley could have a subpar season in 2021 and still probably be a top-five selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The junior cornerback is ridiculously talented and it’s quite possible he’s growing bored with the challenge in college football. I wouldn’t be surprised if Stingley takes his game to new heights in the NFL.
Derek Stingley Jr has been receiving plenty of accolades lately
247Sports ranked the top 50 players in college football recently and Stingley, unsurprisingly, was ranked near the top of the list.
The All-American defensive back was ranked No. 2 in 247Sports’ rankings, just behind Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux.
“Stingley, the highest-rated cornerback prospect in Top247 history, should be the preseason favorite for the Thorpe Award in a loaded year for defensive backs,” wrote Chris Hummer.
The only downside to Stingley being a likely top-five pick next year is that it means he won’t be back at LSU for his senior season.
Of course, we pretty much knew that from his first game with the Tigers.
dark. Next. Will Jacoby Mathews recommit to LSU?
Stingley is a special talent. Players like him don’t come around often. Fans need to enjoy watching him go to work in 2021.