New York Jets fans have to be intrigued by what Sauce Gardner did in Indianapolis
With the NFL Scouting Combine in full swing out in the heart of Indiana, New York Jets fans are primarily fixated upon the performances of prospects who are in play for the team with one of its two first-round picks in the 2022 NFL draft (4th and 10th overall).
University of Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner has quickly developed into one of the most popular candidates to be selected by New York with either one of its two first-rounders. Gardner, who did not allow a touchdown in his collegiate career, is considered by many to be the best cornerback prospect in this draft class.
Anyone who has watched Gardner’s film already knew that he possessed an outstanding blend of size and athleticism before he stepped onto the field at Lucas Oil Stadium. But Gardner’s measurements and times in Indy confirmed just how unique of a prospect he really is.
Here are Gardner’s official measurements at the combine:
- Height: 6026 (6’2¾”)
- Weight: 190
- Arm length: 33½”
- Wingspan: 79⅜”
- Hand size: 9⅝”
Combine measurements are important considering how often schools tend to inflate the height and weight of their players. Gardner quelled any doubts by confirming his incredible length at the combine, coming close to 6-foot-3 and showing off his 33.5-inch arms.
For reference, an arm length of 33.5 inches ranks at the 97th percentile among cornerbacks measures in the history of the combine.
Okay, so Gardner is lengthy. We knew that.
Here’s where Gardner put himself over the top as a truly never-before-seen prospect: the combination of his aforementioned length and his blazing speed.
While carrying around one of the largest frames you’ll see at the cornerback position, Gardner clocked a jaw-dropping official time of 4.41 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
That time is downright historic for a cornerback of Gardner’s size. According to data from Pro Football Reference’s combine archives, Gardner’s 4.41 time is the fastest ever for a cornerback who stands at least 6-foot-2 with an arm length of at least 33.5 inches and a wingspan of at least 79 inches.
Play: 👉 the Jet X Offseason Simulator
Could Gardner have just strengthened his case to be the Jets’ selection with the fourth overall pick?
We still have a long way to go until draft day (53 days, to be exact), so it’s too early to make any declarations about how the board may fall, but there is no doubt that Gardner’s combine numbers will have his stock soaring throughout the next few weeks.
