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Analyzing Derek Stingley Jr.’s draft stock following foot surgery

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He’s been widely regarded as the top cornerback in the 2022 NFL Draft class ever since his otherworldly 2019 campaign. However, it was recently announced that LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. was set to have foot surgery and would be out for an indefinite period of time. Has Stingley Jr. played his last down of college football, and do things change for his draft stock?

On the morning of October 6, it was revealed through LSU head coach Ed Orgeron that Stingley Jr. had recently undergone foot surgery. In his press release, Orgeron stated that “there is no timetable” for Stingley’s return.

A quote from Stingley Jr. himself was also provided, in which Stingley Jr. thanked LSU fans for his support. The cornerback also expressed his desire to return to the field “as soon as possible,” and implied he’s not necessarily done for the 2021 season.

Stingley Jr. first injured his foot during the summer. He was able to rehabilitate and return to the field, but not long ago, he reaggravated the injury. The issue would ultimately force Stingley Jr. off the field against Mississippi State and Auburn before Stingley opted for surgery.

Derek Stingley Jr.’s career at LSU is already prolific

Stingley Jr. may have a hunger to return to the field. But in the eyes of onlookers, he’s already accomplished more than enough in his time with the LSU Tigers. In fact, Stingley Jr. arguably passed that threshold in his true-freshman season, all the way back in 2019.

Expectations were already high for Stingley Jr. when he arrived on LSU’s campus. Coming from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Stingley Jr. played high school football at The Dunham School. There, he quickly established a presence as both a local and national star.

As a recruit, Stingley Jr. was a five-star prospect on various boards. Not only did he sport a long, 6’1″, 193-pound frame, but he also had elite testing numbers on record, with a 4.30 40-yard dash and a 42-inch vertical jump. Unsurprisingly, Stingley Jr. signed with the hometown team. And there, he’d add to his legacy.

As a true freshman, Stingley Jr. amassed 6 interceptions and 15 pass deflections as LSU embarked on a national championship run. The following season, Stingley Jr. added 5 more deflections and once again took home All-American honors. He was on pace to ride a thunderous conclusion into the NFL Draft this season, but his injury drastically complicates matters.

Stingley Jr.’s draft stock stable but still prone to fluctuation

At this point, there’s still a lot we don’t know about Stingley Jr.’s injury. Most notably, will it be an impactful injury regarding his college football career? Stingley Jr. expressed hope that he can return during the season, but it might be more prudent for Stingley Jr. to close the lid on his college career, rehabilitate, and start the NFL Draft preparation process early. Coming back not only interrupts that process but also risks Stingley Jr. playing poorly as he recovers.

Foot injuries tend to linger, and for cornerbacks — who heavily rely on short-area explosiveness and sudden weight transfers — it might be better to approach the injury with a more delicate long-term approach. Stingley’s testing numbers at the NFL Combine (assuming he’s healthy enough to go) will also likely solidify his stock as an early Round 1 talent. If he reaggravates the injury by coming back, he loses that opportunity as well.

Coaches like players who fight through injuries and fight to rejoin their teammates. But in Stingley Jr.’s case, he has less to gain and more to lose by rushing things. If he can return to the field without rushing himself, then that’s a different story. However, more often than not, a full recovery — especially with foot injuries — takes time. If he wants to pass offseason medical checks and use his testing to his advantage, Stingley Jr. should use all the time he needs.

When healthy, Stingley Jr. is still a top-flight cornerback prospect

Ironically, the foot surgery is recent news, and it might already be the biggest question surrounding Stingley Jr.’s draft stock. On the field, the LSU cornerback is a near-elite prospect with few flaws and strengths that are heavily translatable to the modern NFL. Stingley Jr. is long and fast-flowing, with excellent ball skills at the catch point. But his best trait might be his athletic freedom and explosiveness. In his scouting report on Stingley Jr., PFN Draft Analyst Oli Hodgkinson says the following about this trait:

An exceptional athlete, Stingley Jr. can go toe-to-toe with the fastest wide receivers that college football has to offer. He demonstrates excellent play speed, but there’s more to him than simply being able to run. The LSU CB has stellar footwork, helping him mirror receivers’ routes.

Additionally, Oli detailed in his report: “He displays tremendous change-of-direction ability. Stingley Jr. is also explosive in short areas, allowing him to jump routes and makes plays on the ball.”

With his fluidity, short-range explosiveness, and change-of-direction ability, Stingley Jr. stays in phase extremely well in man coverage. And at the catch point, his otherworldly body control and vertical athleticism make him a definite turnover threat. He can improve his hand usage, both in coverage and at the line of scrimmage. Overall, however, he checks all the boxes a first-round cornerback should.

Stingley Jr.’s health key in determining draft stock

Health will be the biggest question surrounding Stingley Jr. and his draft stock during the 2022 NFL Draft cycle. Thus, how Stingley Jr. proceeds from this point will be of great interest. As a competitor, Stingley Jr. may wish to return to the field and play with his teammates once more. But as a prospect, Stingley Jr. has to consider the risks of that decision — and how playing it safe might ultimately be better for him in the long run.

It’s a strong cornerback class, with players like Kaiir Elam, Andrew Booth Jr., Trent McDuffie, and Ahmad Gardner all commanding first-round consideration as well. Let’s say Stingley Jr. returns before season’s end and aggravates his foot injury yet again. And let’s say this prevents him from testing in the offseason. If that happens, Stingley Jr. should still go in Round 1, but he could get pushed out of the top 10 and maybe even past the top 20.

At that point, there’s a lot of money at stake for Stingley Jr. He is a football player, and a good one. But the decision to return won’t be a football decision. It’ll be a business decision, and Stingley Jr. may be better off taking things slow and closing the door on his time in Baton Rouge.





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Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said. 

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted. 

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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