Pro Football Focus released its top NFL cornerback rankings and placed Sauce Gardner at No. 1. The New York Jets star and Cincinnati product topped big names like Denver’s Patrick Surtain and Kansas City’s Trent McDuffie.
Gardner’s 91.9 PFF coverage grade since 2022 leads the league.
“He has forced a league-high 46 incompletions and allowed a league-low 0.60 yards per cover snap and 21.4% first-down-plus-touchdown rate over that span,” PFF’s John Kosko wrote.
The numbers tell the story, but it’s Gardner’s game-changing ability that sets him apart. He doesn’t shadow top receivers on every snap, but when the Jets ask him to take on that role, he delivers.
“While he might not shadow opposing wide receivers at a high rate, he has excelled when asked to do so,” Kosko added. “Unsurprisingly, Gardner’s PFF advanced coverage grade ranks first, as well.”
Gardner established himself as Cincinnati’s best NFL prospect when the Jets selected him No. 4 overall in 2022. He’s backing up that draft position with elite play.
The Jets signed Gardner to a four-year, $120.4 million extension with $85.65 million guaranteed.
The deal makes him the highest-paid cornerback in the league. He’ll stay in New York through the 2030 season and work under newly hired head coach Aaron Glenn.
Gardner just turned 24 years old.
His jump from college standout to NFL’s top cornerback happened quickly. The Jets continue building around his talent on defense.
Cincinnati hasn’t traditionally produced elite NFL talent, but Gardner is changing that narrative. He’s become the face of the Jets defense and is setting the standard for the cornerback position across the league.
