Houston Texans reach by selecting Derek Stingley Jr. with 3rd overall pick

The Houston Texans have selected Derek Stingley Jr. as the third overall pick.

The next big piece in Houston Texans history has arrived with the selection of. Houston is going to try to bolster the secondary as they embark into the first season under Head Coach Lovie Smith. Smith will have his newest defensive weapon in Stingley jr.

Houston was 28th in pass defense last season, and they did better against the AFC South but struggled mightily against teams outside of the division. So Stingley will get the task of becoming Houston’s number one cornerback while going up against the likes of A.J. Brown and Michael Pittman Jr.

It will be interesting how Houston pairs this pick with their next one coming up at number 13. Will it be another defensive player, or will Houston address offense?

Grading the Derek Stingley Jr. Pick for the Houston Texans

This was a confusing pick by Houston. With Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner on the board, Houston opted for Stingley Jr., who had a good year but also brings injury issues.  Houston also neglected the glaring need for building in the trenches on either side of the ball.

This was a reach and presumably the one risky pick Houston is going to make out of their first-round selection. Stingley has his positives, but this pick just brings Caleb Farley vibes from 2021.

Will Stingley Jr. pan out? He has a chance to in one of the weakest divisions in football, as there aren’t many primetime wide receivers and Matt Ryan is the only true threat at the quarterback position.

Houston could have done much better, and now the stage is set for them to try to trade into the top ten of the draft.