In his article published on July 8, Pro Football Focus’ John Kosko ranked the Houston Texans secondary fourth-best in the National Football League. Only the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, and Denver Broncos are higher than the two-time defending AFC South champions.
However, while the Texans didn’t top that list, cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. confidently predicted that their unit would be number one. The All-Pro defensive back even backed his claim by predicting Houston leading the league in interceptions.
As ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime wrote, Stingley said, “Going based off of last year, plus the guys we got now, we should lead in interceptions probably by at least about 10 to 15. I mean, we know we can get the ball. We just got to keep going to get the ball.”
In addition to Stingley, who mounted a strong case for being the league’s best cornerback, other members of the Texans secondary impressed last year. Kosko wrote, “Kamari Lassiter impressed as a rookie, earning a 77.5 coverage grade, while Jalen Pitre ranked among the league’s top slot cornerbacks with a 71.3 grade.”
Likewise, Calen Bullock finished a solid rookie season, finishing with five interceptions and 11 passes defended. Collectively, they collected 17 of Houston’s 19 interceptions, the second-most in the league behind the Minnesota Vikings’ 24.
While those players already make the Texans secondary formidable, they signed 2022 NFL interceptions co-leader C.J. Gardner-Johnson and drafted Jaylin Smith. Likewise, Jimmie Ward remains reliable despite not getting the spotlight that his teammates attract.
Texans Facing a Quarterback Gauntlet
With a .491 opponent winning percentage, the Texans are 18th in the 2025 Strength of Schedule rankings, per NFL Football Operations. Playing in a division with a struggling quarterback (Trevor Lawrence), an inaccurate one (Anthony Richardson), and a rookie (Cam Ward) makes Houston’s schedule easier.
However, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Furthermore, beyond those three quarterbacks, the Texans secondary must stop Pro Bowl quarterbacks, Most Valuable Players, and Super Bowl winners.
Based on their schedule, Derek Stingley Jr. and the Texans defensive backs must stop the big plays from Matthew Stafford, Lamar Jackson, Brock Purdy, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray, Geno Smith, and Justin Herbert. There’s also Bo Nix who helped the Broncos break their decade-long playoff drought and Baker Mayfield who led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to two consecutive NFC South division titles.
Derek Stingley Jr. Up to the Challenge of Covering Elite Wide Receivers
PFF statistics show that Stingley surrendered 456 yards and three touchdowns in 19 games last season. He did not allow a 100-yard game even if he covered superb wideouts like DJ Moore, CeeDee Lamb, Tyreek Hill, and Justin Jefferson.
More importantly, 2024 marked the first time Derek Stingley Jr. played a full regular season. The former LSU standout participated in only nine games during his rookie year (2022) and 13 (including playoffs) the following year. Stingley hopes he can play the entire Texans schedule this year.
“Going into Year 4, it’s really just staying healthy and stacking. There’s more to do that was already done,” Stingley shared with Bien-Aime.
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