(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The New York Jets ranked fourth in the NFL in points and total yards allowed last season, and a big reason why was rookie cornerback Sauce Gardner.
He quickly emerged as an absolute stud, as he earned Pro Bowl, All-Pro first-team, and Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Gardner did so by leading the league with 20 passes defended, to go along with 75 total tackles (51 solo) and two interceptions.
He also ranked first in another category: lowest passer rating allowed by a rookie.
The lowest passer rating allowed by a rookie in the last seasons pic.twitter.com/1RfcfXY2ul
— PFF (@PFF) April 13, 2023
Gardner was the fourth overall pick in last year’s draft out of the University of Cincinnati, where he won AAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2021, his final season with the Bearcats.
He helped the Jets get off to a surprising 6-3 start, and although they faltered the rest of the season and won just seven games, he has given them lots of hope for the immediate future.
He is part of an outstanding defense that also includes defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who was also named to both the Pro Bowl and All-Pro first-team after notching 12.0 sacks, 28 quarterback hits, and 12 tackles for loss in 2022.
On offense, New York boasts the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year in wide receiver Garrett Wilson, and the addition of solid WR2 Allen Lazard could help set them up for a playoff run next season.
Of course, that playoff run will be contingent on the arrival of future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and as of now, it appears trade negotiations with the Green Bay Packers are moving at a snail’s pace.
The post Sauce Gardner Paced The NFL In An Elite Stat appeared first on The Cold Wire.