New York Jets select Cincinnati star Ahmad Gardner in 2022 NFL Draft

The New York Jets selected Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner, who did not give up a touchdown in his collegiate career, with the No. 4 overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. After establishing himself as one of the best defensive backs in the country, his story gained national attention as the Bearcats reached the College Football Playoff.

Known by his nickname, “Sauce,” Ahmad Gardner finished his college career with 99 tackles, nine interceptions and 16 pass deflections. Although he did not see great volume due to his reputation, he held receivers to just 6.6 yards per reception as a junior.

A former three-star recruit in the class of 2019, he was the No. 1,574 overall player in the nation per the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. The Detroit, Michigan native also ranked as the No. 151 cornerback and No. 43 player in his home state after playing at Martin Luther King High School.

NFL draft analysts on Ahmad Gardner

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein broke down what Ahmad Gardner can bring to the NFL in his recent scout of the cornerback’s draft profile. The analyst compared the Cincinnati product to Richard Sherman, who fits his mold on and off the field.

The NFL.com scout pointed out that while he is not the cleanest product on the outside, his talent level and determination put him in a position to compete on every snap against elite wide receivers.

“Long, lean and linear, Gardner’s physical and football growth are on full display when comparing his 2019 tape to 2021,” wrote Zierlein. “He’s highly competitive with a confidence level that will be labeled as cocky by some evaluators. “Sauce” uses length and hand activity to impose his will on the release and stall the route on the tarmac.”