Houston Texans All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. was announced as the 25th-best player in the NFL this morning as part of the latest rollouts of the list.
His appearance comes with a slight amount of skepticism, as he dropped seven spots from last season even though he went back-to-back on securing First-Team All-Pro selections. Regardless, Stingley has been one of the three best cornerbacks in the NFL over the last three seasons, and his designation in the upper 25% of the league demonstrates that.
As part of the selection, NFL.com even had this to say about how the backend of Stingley's season went in 2025,
"During Houston's nine-game winning streak ahead of the Divisional Round, Stingley did not allow more than 45 yards in coverage even once; he shut out Steelers pass catchers in Houston's wild-card win. QBs have learned not to throw Stingley's way, a widely understood show of respect for one of the league's best."
Derek Stingley is yet again seen one one of the NFL's best at cornerback in 2026
Even going back to early July, ESPN Senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler published a rankings list of all of the cornerbacks in the NFL according to multiple executives, coaches and scouts around the league. Stingley came in second on that list, only behind Denver Broncos All-Pro -- and 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year-- Patrick Surtain II. Aside from him, many believe that Stingley would be the ideal cornerback one would think of when it comes to being able to proficiently shut down entire sections of the field during drives.
Specific to the Texans, Stingley enters 2026 only being two interceptions (15) behind franchise legend Johnathan Joseph (17) for the most generated in team history. Assuming health for the fourth-year player, Stingley should break that record in short order in during Houston's 25th anniversary season.
While the NFL's Top 100 list is not like winning the Super Bowl, it is its own acknolwegdment from Stingley's peer group that says that his work is definitely noticed from around the NFL. Stingley is a true tactition at the position, and he's aiming to continue his dominance at a time where Houston is gunning for both its first Conference Championship game and Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.
If the Texans are ever going to accomplish that feat, then Stingley most certainly will be one of the frontline players most responsible for it coming to fruition.
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