Sauce Gardner (Cincinnati) - 2022 NFL Draft Pick #4 by NYJ
What The Experts Thought Before The Draft
Pre-Draft Analysis for Sauce Gardner - 2022 NFL Draft
Player Profile:- Name: Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner
- Position: Cornerback
- College: University of Cincinnati
- Height: 6'3"
- Weight: 200 lbs
- Length and Size: Gardner possesses an impressive wingspan and height, making him a difficult matchup for receivers.
- Coverage Skills: He demonstrated exceptional man-to-man and zone coverage abilities, often shutting down top receivers.
- Ball Skills: Gardner has a knack for making plays on the ball, recording multiple interceptions during his college career.
- Physicality: He plays with a physical edge, both in press coverage and when defending against the run.
- Football IQ: Gardner shows a high understanding of the game, making quick decisions and adjusting to opposing offenses.
- Experience Against Elite Competition: While he performed well in college, some scouts questioned how he would fare against NFL-caliber receivers week in and week out.
- Inconsistency in Tackling: Although he is physical, there are instances where his tackling technique can be improved.
Sauce Gardner is widely regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft. His combination of size, speed, and skill set makes him a potential shut-down corner in the NFL. His ability to play both man and zone coverage effectively, along with his ball-hawking instincts, gives him a high ceiling at the next level.
Projected Draft Position:Most analysts projected Gardner to be a top-10 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, with many believing he could be the first cornerback off the board.