Mel Kiper issues one warning on Derek Stingley Jr

During ESPN’s SportsCenter special with NFL draft analysts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay, the two went back and forth discussing the formers first 2022 mock draft based on his scouting and the things he is hearing around the league.

As they reached the No. 8 pick, Mel Kiper mocked LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr to the Atlanta Falcons. Despite the high draft pick spent on a player once considered a candidate for No. 1, he provided one warning about the prospect.

“Atlanta could go quarterback but I went with Derek Stingley Jr,” Mel Kiper explained. “Hey you could argue that he’s one of the most talented players in this draft but he didn’t do a lot the last couple of years after having that dynamic 2019 true freshman campaign with six interceptions and 15 pass breakups. So you have to hope he can recapture that form he showed from a couple of year ago. At pick eight makes a lot of sense.”

Over his career at LSU, Stingley played 27 games but only 12 games over his final two seasons. He had 38 tackles and six interceptions as a freshman, but only 35 tackles and two forced fumbles over the next two.

While a large portion of the drop came due to the other team’s lack of desire to throw at the star cornerback, the injuries and missed game-time have caused some concern from analysts.

Derek Stingley Jr sends message to LSU

A former five-star recruit in the On3 Consensus out of the 2019 class, Derek Stingley Jr just finished his junior season with the Tigers. Earlier this month, he formally announced his intention to enter the 2022 NFL Draft.

Along with his announcement in the Players’ Tribune, Stingley sent a message to his coaches, fans and teammates who he spent time with over the past three years at LSU.

“Right now I know that I am ready to lock in and focus on what’s next,” Stingley wrote in The Players’ Tribune. “I wanted you to hear it from me first that I’ll be declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft.

“I can’t say thank you enough to LSU and the fans for the support that you have given me throughout my time there, and how much I appreciate the moments we have shared together. They will never be forgotten. To my family that has been there every step of the way, thank you … your support means everything to me. I hope I continue to make you proud.”