Derek Stingley Jr. | Cornerback | LSU - Edge of Philly Sports Network

A defensive backfield with Slay and Derek Stingley Jr.? I’ll go ahead and speak for all Eagles fans when I say sign me right up. If the Eagles are planning to yet again neglect the LB position, the only thing that might make us feel better are strong bookends on the defense from the pass rush to the secondary.

Given the track record of the Eagles’ willingness to take risks in the draft on injured players (Sidney Jones, anyone?), it’s certainly not unlikely that the Eagles could scoop up Stingley Jr. if he drops to them. Apologies for bringing up Sidney Jones, but there are some parallels between the two players. They have a nearly identical size with an injury history and what’s regarded to be an NFL-ready skillset. The Eagles can only hope that Stingley’s NFL career goes a bit better than Jones’ if he is indeed drafted here.

Profile of Derek Stingley Jr.

6’0”
190 lbs.
4.37 40 yd. dash
74” Wingspan
Projected: Top 15 overall
Missed a lot of 2020 and 2021 due to injury
Check out his tape vs. Georgia in 2019 (No. 24)

Stingley Jr. in his limited film showed flashes of pure brilliance, leading the team with 6 interceptions as a true freshman for the National Champion 2019 LSU Tigers. A physical, long corner with ball skills who can press is the perfect complement to Darius Slay in Jonathan Gannon’s scheme and is undoubtedly an upgrade over 2nd-year players Zech McPhearson and Tay Gowan. Simply put, a CB group of Slay, Maddox, and Stingley Jr. would be nasty. He’ll just need to find some consistency. The raw ability is obviously there.

Strengths:

Might be the best athlete in the draft
Great size
Moves very smoothly with his hips
Can thrive in both man and zone coverage
Excellent ball-skills
Good tackler
Reads and reacts quickly

Weaknesses:

Missed all but 10 games from 2020-2021
Run support could use some work
A bit inconsistent
Questions about enthusiasm on every snap

Summary:

Derek Stingley Jr. is an insanely athletic player with some inconsistency and a college career marred by injuries that will definitely put scouts and front offices at odds. If some consistency is found, he’ll be a transcendent talent in the NFL and the perfect natural replacement for Darius Slay when his years as an Eagle come to an end. There is a slight familiarity with Philadelphia as well, being that his father was drafted by the Phillies in 1993. If he falls, no question the Eagles should take him. Here he is facing DeVonta Smith in 2019:

Kyle Quinn

Kyle Quinn is the host of the Birds Eye Q show on Edge of Philly Sports. A graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kyle works as a producer at 94WIP Philadelphia, where the conversation is non-stop 4 for 4 Philly sports. If you like argumentative and strong opinions with a deep knowledge of the Philadelphia Eagles, Birds Eye Q is the place for you.