Texans CB duo not viewed as best combo in latest Sports Illustrated rankings
· Yahoo Sports
Is the duo of Houston Texans cornerbacks Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley Jr. being disrespected entering the 2026 NFL season?
Stingley, a two-time All-Pro defensive back and standout No. 1 cornerback, is coming off what some would consider a down year with only 64 tackles, four interceptions and 15 pass breakups. As for Lassiter, he continued to look like a rising star in DeMeco Ryans' defense, notching career-highs in interceptions (4) and pass breakups (17).
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But even as members of the league's second-best secondary, Sports Illustrated isn't giving the combo of Lassiter and Stingley the nod for top duo. Gilberto Manzano recently sorted through the top five cornerback duos rolling into next season, placing Lassiter and Stingley in the No. 2 spot, trailing only Philadelphia's Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
"If we’re just focusing on coverage, it might not get better than the cornerback duo in Houston," Manzano wrote. "Stingley, the No. 3 pick in the 2022 draft, has developed into a top-three cornerback and has the accolades to back it up...
"With Lassiter playing next to Stingley, he gets more targets his way and has made the most of the extra work, recording seven total interceptions since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2024."
Last season, Stingley allowed 23 catches for under 200 yards and three touchdowns. The reality is that was a dip compared to his 2024 breakout season that initially made him the then-highest-paid cornerback in the league.
When looking at the list, Lassiter would be the best corner and nearly two dozen other NFL rosters. While playing opposite Stingley last season, he allowed just 32 receptions on 73 targets for just under 200 yards and two touchdowns. In fact, Lassiter allowed fewer yards and touchdowns than Stingley, though the former had been going up against most No. 1 options in man coverage.
So, what was the reason for the silver medal slot compared to Philadelphia? Manzano said position flexibility was the x-factor. Lassiter and Stingley are known for being boundary cornerbacks while DeJean, who mostly sees action in the slot, can work his way to the corner.
"Let’s not forget that DeJean and Mitchell were instrumental in the Eagles winning the Super Bowl during their rookie seasons in 2024," Manzano wrote. "DeJean had a memorable pick-six against Patrick Mahomes during Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans."
While Philadelphia earned the first-place honors, Manazo did mention that the Texans and Eagles duo were the only ones in consideration for No. 1. Given that Houston also has two elite defensive ends coming after quarterbacks, the lack of targets against Lassiter and Stingley could be attributed to the ability to take away the passing game up front.
"It’s definitely a pick-your-poison situation whenever quarterbacks have to face the Texans’ cornerback duo," Mananzo wrote. "Then again, QBs don’t get much time to process who’s in coverage because Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter are the pass rushers, leading to many game-changing plays for this stacked defense."
The Texans return for the start of training camp on July 21.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans CB duo not viewed as best combo in latest Sports Illustrated rankings