New York Jets are well-represented on the All-Pro team
The AP All-Pro first and second teams were announced for the 2022 NFL regular season. Three New York Jets players were honored. Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams made the first team while C.J. Mosley made the second team.
Watch the moment when @QuinnenWilliams and @iamSauceGardner learned from @RobMaaddi they were first-team All-Pros 💚 pic.twitter.com/LHQZOAiovK
— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 13, 2023
THAT'S OUR CAPTAIN 🫡
Congrats @TreyDeuce32RTR on being named a Second-Team All-Pro!! pic.twitter.com/K83CeXHbjn
— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 13, 2023
Gardner and Williams more than deserved first-team honors after dominant 2022 seasons where they elevated the entire Jets defense. After being the 32nd-ranked defense in 2021, the Jets jumped up to the top 5-10 in several key metrics, and it was largely thanks to Gardner and Williams.
Williams’ breakout was long-awaited after he was drafted third overall in 2019. After two good but inconsistent seasons in 2020 and 2021, Williams put it all together in his fourth season.
Williams racked up career highs in sacks (12.0), pressures (52), and pressure rate (12.38%). He was second among interior defensive linemen in sacks behind only Chris Jones, who was also named a first-team All-Pro. Williams’ pressure rate was also second-best behind Jones.
As the backbone of the Jets defense, Williams’ dominance against the run as well as the pass is what separates him from every other defensive tackle in the NFL.
Before an injury in Week 14, Quinnen was beginning to receive Defensive Player of the Year consideration.
Now heading into his fifth season, he’s looking to become one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the NFL. Considering his play this year, the Jets shouldn’t hesitate.
Part of Quinnen’s breakout is the significantly improved coverage behind him.
After being selected fourth overall, Sauce Gardner exceeded every expectation imaginable in his rookie season. Gardner became the first rookie cornerback in 41 years to be named first-team All-Pro.
Not only was he the first rookie in four decades, but he also received 86% of the first-team votes.
Despite facing star wide receivers in Ja’Marr Chase, Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson, Stefon Diggs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, and many others, Sauce more than held his own.
Gardner led all defenders in passes defended with 20 and, per Pro Football Focus’ statistics, is the best cornerback in the NFL in most categories.
Sauce Gardner ranks among 82 CBs with at least 500 defensive snaps:
Yards/Snap: 0.54 (1st)
Yards/Target: 4.71 (2nd)
Targets/Snap: 11.4% (10th)
Pass Breakups/Target: 19.2% (1st)
Passer Rating Allowed: 52.5 (1st)
CMP% Allowed: 45.2% (1st)Best CB in the NFL #Jets pic.twitter.com/Nbz3y6dVg0
— Stefan Stelling (@li_jets) January 12, 2023
Sauce led 82 qualified cornerbacks (min. 500 snaps) in:
- Yards Per Snap: 0.54
- Pass Breakups Per Target: 19.2%
- Passer Rating Allowed: 52.5
- Completion Percentage Allowed: 45.2%
In the modern NFL, the two most important defensive positions are pass rusher and cornerback. The Jets have two of the best players in the NFL at those positions and they aren’t even in their primes yet.
WE LIKE SHAQ & KOBE❕❕❕CONGRATS TO MY BROTHER😎😎😎🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/82qiPYqRH0
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) January 13, 2023
With both Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams on their team, the Jets should have an elite defense for years to come.
As for Mosley, this is his fifth time making the All-Pro second team. With five Pro Bowls and five All-Pro appearances in his career, the Jets’ defensive captain is putting together a strong resume.
