EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 25: Sauce Gardner #1 of the New York Jets celebrates after the play against the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium on September 25, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Most rookie cornerbacks struggle to start their NFL careers, but not Sauce Gardner of the New York Jets.
The 2022 NFL season has just completed its first four weeks, and the year-end awards debates will only increase from here on out. While the MVP, Offensive Player, and Defensive Player of the Year awards will dominate the discussions, there is a lot of talk surrounding who will be the Rookies of the Year on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
When it comes to Defensive Rookie of the Year, one name that has made his case to win is New York Jets rookie cornerback Sauce Gardner. The fourth-overall pick out of Cincinnati has allowed just nine receptions on 19 targets, per Pro Football Focus. His 47.4 completion percentage ranks better than some of the top corners in the NFL.
Sauce Gardner’s excellent start for Jets
That is very good for a rookie cornerback for sure. Gardner was hyped as being one of the top cornerback prospects in quite some time. Not allowing a single touchdown in his three years with the Cincinnati Bearcats will help with that.
In the team’s most recent game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4, he allowed just nine receiving yards on seven targets, while breaking up a pass, per Pro Football Network.
Even though Gardner has these stellar statistics through his first four NFL games, he does not have an interception. In fact, Gardner joked to the media that he does not have one of New York’s six interceptions on the year. The video comes courtesy of SNY.
“I think I’m the only one that don’t got one,” said Gardner. “That sounds crazy. Seeing stuff like that makes me want to go get one. My teammates just keep getting them. They’re just going to keep pushing me. I’m very excited for those guys for sure.”
Gardner is living up to the hype. In Week 5, he takes on a Miami Dolphins passing attack that includes fast wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
