New York Jets’ Sauce Gardner snubbed by league officials
On Thursday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler released his top 10 cornerback rankings, the results of which were generated by surveying nearly 80 league executives, scouts, and coaches.
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner was listed at No. 3. Denver’s Patrick Surtain was ranked first while Cleveland’s Denzel Ward followed in second.
Fowler stated, “Gardner was targeted 57 times last year and allowed 366 yards and two touchdowns. He has the coverage production — with 31 pass breakups and two touchdowns allowed over his first two seasons — but hasn’t shown a knack for turnovers, with two career picks. His 19.3% ball-hawk rate is among the best. But the handsy rep is becoming a thing, and a few established personnel executives left him off the top 10 altogether”.
A high-ranking NFL personal evaluator did not have much praise for Gardner, stating, “One of the most overrated players in the league. … You could call holding on him every play.”
Entering his third season, Gardner has emerged as a top cornerback in today’s game. He is already a two-time Pro Bowler and a two-time first-team All-Pro recipient. In 16 games last season, Gardner totaled 47 solo tackles and 11 pass deflections while allowing just 251 yards and one touchdown into his coverage (per PFF). Since 2010, only 17 position players have made the Pro Bowl in each of their first two seasons.
Gardner is one of just six players named starters in each of their first two Pro Bowls. He’s one of the NFL’s most promising young stars.
Is this a fair evaluation of Gardner?
Jets fans might be shrugging their shoulders, thinking Gardner should be within the top two, and I am right there with you guys. Gardner was ranked second on this list last season; the main difference in Gardner’s numbers this year compared to last season is that he was unable to record an interception in 2023. However, he still earned a first-team All-Pro selection and a Pro Bowl.
Since entering the league, Gardner has been targeted 124 times across 33 games and 1,162 coverage snaps. Over his two seasons, he’s given up just 62 catches for 612 yards, 25 first downs, and only two touchdowns.
