When I did my “Gimme him” article ahead of the Tennessee Titans’ previous matchup with the Houston Texans in Week 15, I went ahead and selected left tackle Laremy Tunsil. That was the rather obvious choice, considering the Titans’ left tackle position has been a disaster this year.
However, rather than doubling down, I’m going to go in a different direction this time around.
Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. has had an outstanding sophomore campaign in the NFL. The LSU product has turned himself into a true No. 1 cornerback, earning the 10th-highest overall grade at his position (81.1), per Pro Football Focus.
Also, despite only playing in nine games, he’s already recorded five interceptions on the year, all of which occurred within the last six weeks.
Not only is he developing into a ball hawk, but he’s steadily becoming a true shutdown defender along the boundary. The last time these two teams played, Stingley held Titans receiver DeAndre Hopkins to just two catches for 21 yards.
Deandre Hopkins today:
9 Targets
2 Catches
21 YardsDEREK STINGLEY JR IS LOCKDOWN. pic.twitter.com/O9JYXyA7Sp
— Jacob (@Stroud4ROTY) December 17, 2023
While offensive tackle and wide receiver are the Titans’ two biggest needs, cornerback isn’t too far behind and Stingley has the talent and potential to be among the league’s best for the next decade.
For that reason, he gets the nod for this week’s “Gimme him” article.
