Sauce Gardner Could Cover Opponent's No. 1 Receiver
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh said it's a "possibility" that cornerback Sauce Gardner will travel with the opposing team's No. 1 wide receiver this year. It wouldn't be an exclusive setup, though, but it could happen more than it did last year. Gardner has quickly become of the better lock-down corners in the NFL after being taken with the fourth overall pick in 2022 out of Cincinnati. The 23-year-old was a first-team All-Pro in each of the last two years and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022. As such, opposing quarterbacks rarely chose to test him last year. He finished the 2023 campaign with 57 tackles (41 solo) and 11 passes defensed without an interception. Matching him up against more WR1s could give him more action in his third NFL season.
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Gardner, who has 20 tackles and one forced fumble this year, will miss the first game of his career in Week 6. With D.J. Reed (concussion) and Brandin Echols (hamstring) also out, New York plans to start Bryce Hall and practice squad call-up Craig James at cornerback.
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (quadriceps) isn't practicing at training camp on Wednesday due to a quadriceps injury. Defensive end Carl Lawson (back) also isn't practicing. Gardner's injury doesn't appear to be very serious, but the Jets will be cautious with their shutdown corner before the team's second preseason game this weekend. The 22-year-old is not expected to play this Saturday against the Carolina Panthers. The former fourth overall pick last year was a big reason why New York's defense took a huge step forward last year and why they are one of the scariest units again heading into the 2023 campaign. Gardner was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 and had 75 tackles (51 solo), two interceptions and a league-high 20 passes defensed in 17 starts.
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner took home the Defensive Rookie of the Year honor by a considerable margin over second-place Aidan Hutchinson from the Detroit Lions. The moment Gardner stepped on the field for the Jets, he was a dominant force on defense. He was the best in the league at passes defended with 20 while collecting two interceptions and 75 tackles. The 22-year-old also only allowed a 48.1 completion percentage and -8.4 completion percentage over expected. This defensive unit for the Jets could be worth rostering in more leagues next season.
Cornerback Sauce Gardner officially agreed to a contract with the Jets on Saturday, with the terms of the deal remaining undisclosed. Gardner, who was selected with the No. 4 overall pick, was one of the most coveted defensive options heading into the 2022 NFL Draft. He didn't allow a receiving touchdown throughout his three years at Cincinnati and could develop even faster under the tutelage of Robert Saleh. Undoubtedly, IDP dynasty managers should look in Gardner's direction during fantasy drafts ahead of the 2022-23 season, primarily since he has an excellent chance of being an elite corner for many years ahead.
The New York Jets drafted Cincinnati cornerback Sauce Gardner with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft on Thursday night. Gardner is a straight up lockdown cornerback that didn't allow a single touchdown in his final year at Cincy in 2021. "I see (LSU CB Derek) Stingley going before him, but he's developing really quickly and I like how he doesn't give receivers any breathing room when he plays press," said an area scout for an undisclosed NFC team. Stingley did indeed go before him, at third overall to the Houston Texans. Gardner is a tall corner with long arms and sticky hands with an excellent blend of confidence and competitiveness. His footwork needs to become a priority and he'll need to get stronger in order to win physically with bigger wide receivers.
There is a lot of chatter about Cincinnati cornerback Sauce Gardner and the New York Jets, which is very different from one to two weeks ago, according to three sources. The Jets have a need in their secondary and could very well make Gardner the pick with the No. 4 overall selection in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night. Along with Gardner, LSU's Derek Stingley Jr. is one of the highest-rated cornerbacks in this year's draft class. Gardner had 68 solo tackles (5.5 for loss), 3.5 sacks, nine interceptions (two for touchdowns) and 16 passes defensed in three collegiate seasons for the Bearcats.
