HOUSTON — LovieSmith made it clear that she believed in the Houston TexansNeed to improve as a cornerback in order to “play football the way we want.”
That was what the Texans did on Thursday night, when they drafted LSUCornerback Derek Stingley Jr.With the No. 3 pick.
Stingley is 6'1 and 190 lbs and earned All-America honors for 2019 and 2020. However, he suffered a season-ending foot injury in September last year and was unable to play in any 2021 games. However, he did take part in LSU's pro-day workout earlier in the month.
Stingley joins a Texans group of cornerbacks that includes Steven Nelson, Desmond King II Lonnie Johnson Jr.
Nelson, who is about to enter his eighth NFL year, signed with the team this month. Johnson, a second-round 2019 pick, was moved to safety in 2021. King made his first move outside in his NFL career last season.
Stingley was the fourth cornerback to have been drafted with No. The No. 3 selection in the common draft era (since 1967) tied the highest pick at that position.
Back-to-back four win seasons for the Texans is what they are currently coming off. They were 4-13 under David Culley as coach. Smith was Culley's defensive coordinator.
The Texans are known for drafting defensive players in the first round. Nine of Houston's 29 picks in the first or second rounds since 2004 were on the offensive side. The Texans did have the No. They selected Andre Johnson, a future All-Pro wide receiver.
