Contact CBJ

NFL Upstarts: Number 4 Overall Draft Pick Ahmad Gardner

By The California Business Journal Newswire

Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner will change the way the NFL betting landscape looks at the New York Jets. He was clearly one of the handful of players who will have instant — and powerful — impact on his team. Many league scouts and evaluators believe Gardner is “the pick of the draft.”

Key Strengths

From a young age, Gardner was already an excellent football player, due to his height as well as long arms, which were ideal for many defensive positions on the field, turning him into a highly confident player who naturally falls into a defensive position.

Gardner also stands out because of his flexibility. This is an unusual quality that is found in taller players, and it allows him to navigate the field easily and effectively. In addition to 4.41 speed and a great amount of awareness at all times when he is playing, Gardner is “incredibly tough,” NFL scouts say.

After graduating from Detroit King High School, Gardner joined the Cincinnati Bearcats. It was here that his talents shone through, and many say that Gardner was as elite as it can possibly get within collegiate football, standing out physically for his unparalleled ability to move through the field while maintaining a highly impressive defense for his team.

He was named to the American Athletic Conference (AAC) first team defense every year that he was in college. He was the AAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 after allowing 122 total passing yards. He was also the only freshman player who was named to the AAC first team in 2019.

Gardner began his sophomore season as a starter for the Bearcats, and he was at the top of the depth chart. He was able to graduate having allowed no touchdowns during his career.

Gardner will start for the Jets at cornerback and many are already believe he will the best in the game at the position. Gardner, the first pick during the first round of drafting from Cincinnati in 50 years, has changed the way NFL scouts and evaluators view the University of Cincinnati program.

There are, however, concerns regarding Gardner’s slim frame. His balance is somewhat limited in comparison to NFL players who have a broader build. These are elements he will have to change if he wants to become the best in the game at corner.