Best of Texans’ first-rounders might be their first, CB Derek Stingley

Nick Caserio has made some impressive first-round selections since the Texans hired him as general manager in 2022. Quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson swept the NFL’s respective offensive and defensive rookie of the year awards last season. But the best of the group might wind up being Caserio’s first, cornerback Derek Stingley.

Only one NFL player entering Week 15 has broken up more passes than Stingley (28) since the beginning of 2023. Stroud said he loved to see the glut of Pro Bowl candidates on Houston’s roster and mentioned Stingley and tackle Laremy Tunsil as standouts.

“It is huge,” Stroud said Wednesday as the Texans (8-5) prepare to host the Dolphins (6-7) on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS). “Especially last year, we didn’t have many people because we didn’t have any primetime games and you have guys who have been balling out on primetime and that gives you those opportunities. So, I hope we get a lot of guys in there and I know ‘Sting’ should be All-Pro, if you ask me. That is ballot No. 1 and ‘LT’ 2. I think we have a ton of guys that have put themselves in a position to do that, so definitely huge.”

Stingley has been huge in covering top receivers this season. And this week, he gets two of the NFL’s best, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The Dolphins’ duo has combined for 114 catches, 1,469 yards and seven touchdowns this year. Each player posted a single-game season high in receptions to help the Dolphins beat the Jets in overtime last week.

Stingley is battle-tested, though. He’s led the Houston secondary in successfully limiting Brian Thomas, Calvin Ridley, CeeDee Lamb, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Davante Adams, Garrett Wilson, Amari Cooper and DJ Moore this season. Stingley told beat writer DJ Bien-Aime last month that traveling with the opponent’s top receiver is a role he embraces, partly because of the example set by Hall of Famer Darelle Revis.

“When I think back to when I was a little kid seeing Revis doing that then being in that position is kind of crazy,” Stingley told Bien-Aime. “It feels good because then I ain’t gotta worry about my dad getting on me after the game.”

Hopefully, his dad has been complimentary of late, since Stingley has interceptions in two of his last three games. And including a season-high three passes defensed in Houston’s last game, Stingley ranks second in the NFL with a career-best 15 this season.

Houston, meanwhile, ranks second in the NFL with 16 interceptions and seventh against the pass (198.8 yards allowed per game). Stroud saw Stingley’s talent more than a year ago.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever told him this,” Stroud said last December on the Pat McAfee Show, “but he’s the most talented on our team by far. Pure athleticism, ball skills, getting in and out of breaks…offense, defense, whatever you want to say. He’s the most talented dude on our team.”

Houston can clinch a second consecutive AFC South title with a win over Miami coupled with an Indianapolis loss later Sunday afternoon at Denver.

For more information on the Texans and Dolphins, visit the Houston and Miami team pages at ProFootballPost.com.