5 Players the Jets could target in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft

Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

Anyone who watched the Jets last year knows that cornerback was probably the most glaring of the Jets’ key weaknesses. Last off-season’s addition of Pierre Desir did not work out and he was cut at midseason. The other starter last year was Blessuan Austin who was injured on and off last year and even when he was playing, he was largely ineffective. Much of the depth behind these two were undrafted rookie free agents who the Jets started at points last year.

The position was somewhat stabilized after the relatively strong play of rookie Bryce Hall, after returning midseason from an injury, but entering this season the spot opposite Hall is bare. The Jets did little to address the position this past offseason, opting to settle for using late-round picks on cornerbacks. It would be a shock if the Jets did not utilize a deep 2022 draft class at the position to bolster the corner group.

There may not be a better option at cornerback than Derek Stingley Jr. in the 2022 NFL draft. Stingley broke out as LSU’s top cornerback in their 2019 national championship season, where he was arguably the best cornerback in the country. Even more outstandingly, he was a true freshman at the time. Stingley combined his excellent length with incredible athleticism and mirroring ability to play man coverage in that season. To top that off, he showed elite ball skills. In 2019, Stingley had 6 interceptions and led the country with 22 forced incompletions. His play dipped slightly in 2020, but with such a young breakout age his ceiling is sky-high. If he finds some of that form again in 2021, Stingley will likely be the first cornerback off the board.