Lions on list of pre-draft visits for LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.

As the Detroit Lions continue to do their pre-draft due diligence, LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. will come in for a visit.

With help needed across the defense, the Detroit Lions are leaving no stone unturned in their pre-draft visits. According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. has the Lions on his list of upcoming pre-draft visits.

As Rapoport noted, Stingley just had an impressive Pro Day this past week. By all accounts he looked fully recovered from a Lisfranc foot injury, notably running a 4.37 40-yard dash.

If Stingley could have declared for the draft after his freshman season in 2019, when he led the SEC with six interceptions and 15 pass breakups, he might have. His last two seasons at LSU were not as good, and partially impacted by injuries.

But Stingley has still be seen as one of the top cornerbacks in this draft class all along, and a virtual lock to go in the top half of the first round. His Pro Day showing, albeit set up to succeed in that favorable on-campus setting, may have solidified his stock as a top 10-15 pick.

The Lions probably aren’t taking Derek Stingley Jr. No. 2 overall, but….

It’s fair to assume the Lions won’t be taking Stingley with the second overall pick later this month. But it’s not totally out of the question as a surprise move, especially in light of their pre-draft visit with Ahmad Gardner, another of the top cornerbacks in this class (and a Detroit native).

Lions fans may have a hard time stomaching the drafting of a cornerback in the top-five for the second time in three years, with how Jeff Okudah’s first two years have gone. But Okudah’s failings thus far can’t be held against Gardner or Stingley.

Like Gardner, Stingley seems more likely to come into play if the Lions trade down from No. 2. In any case, another top ball-hawking corner in this draft class will be making a visit to Allen Park.