Texans defensive coordinator has early pick for 2024 breakout star

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and his assemblage of weapons earn a primary share of attention from fans and media as the resurgent franchise prepares for the 2024 season. Perhaps not enough respect is being paid to the other side of the ball for DeMeco Ryans' squad.

Houston's pass rushing tandem of Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. and free-agent addition Danielle Hunter reportedly wreaked havoc during on Thursday during OTAs (Organized Team Activities). Though when meeting with the media following Thursday's practice, Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke couldn't hide his excitement regarding a member of Houston's secondary.

"Once he started playing a little bit, as the season progressed, [he] started making big plays for us," Burke said of third-year cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. "I've seen [Stingley] in the building since February. He's been here like every day, even before the offseason program started. ... He's really locked in and committed to trying to take it to the next level."

Burke's sentiment is shared by Houston's signal caller. Stroud said in December he views Stingley as a "generational talent," adding, "he's the most talented dude on our team by far." Stroud's assessment of Stingley is complimentary. It didn't buy him any favors in this year's slate of OTAs. Stingley reportedly intercepted Stroud during an 11-on-11 session, perhaps setting the tone ahead of a highly anticipated 2024 season.

Stingley's career hasn't followed a linear path. He followed a standout freshman season at LSU with a pair of injury-riddled campaigns, a trend that continued through the first year-plus of his Texans tenure. But when Stingley's on the field, the tape doesn't lie: watch his five-week, four-interception sample from Week 12 to Week 16 last season, and you see one of the most talented corners in the NFL.