With the fourth overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, the New York Jets selected Cincinnati Bearcats CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner. What will Gardner’s rookie contract look like, and where does he project into the Jets’ current depth chart?
Ahmad Gardner drafted fourth overall by the New York Jets
Gardner was a three-time first-team All-AAC selection and was selected as both the AAC Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-American in 2021. He finished his three years with the Bearcats without allowing a single receiving touchdown during that time.
Gardner is the first defensive back selected in the first round out of Cincinnati. He is also the first Cincinnati player selected in the first round since 1971 when DT Bob Bell was selected by the Detroit Lions. Gardner is the highest drafted player in Cincinnati school history, beating QB Greg Cook who was selected fifth overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1969.
Gardner’s projected rookie contract
Because Gardner was the fourth overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, this is what his projected rookie contract should look like. Contract numbers are from Over the Cap.
- Total Value: $38.7 million
- Signing Bonus: $25.3 million
- 2022 Base Salary: $705,000
- 2022 Cap Number: $7.0 million
Gardner’s strengths and areas to improve
Here is a snapshot of what the Jets will be getting with the selection of Gardner. For further information, check out Gardner’s full scouting report.
Strengths
- Relatively fluid flipping his hips and mirroring on one-direction cuts and has excellent explosiveness while changing direction
- Sports an insane burst coming back upfield and shows abruptness in tackling situations
- Exceptionally quick to read and react to passes
Areas for improvement
- Could stand to sink his hips a bit more when changing directions to be more efficient
- Plays a little too high on breaks, and he’ll never have elite fluidity
- Can be overly aggressive at the line and delay his transition upfield
How does Gardner project in the Jets’ depth chart?
“Sauce” Gardner is a perfect fit for Robert Saleh’s defense. He’ll get to play from multiple alignments and enlist multiple coverages in a complex scheme. He can play off and smoothly transition despite being a longer cornerback. For the NFL rigors, he could stand to add a bit of weight to his frame.
His tape against Alabama quelled any concerns about his long speed. His 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine was the end of any questions about his long speed. He also possesses good ball skills.
The Jets needed secondary help in a bad way. D.J. Reed and Bryce Hall weren’t going to get it done. They could still use a safety to pair with Jordan Whitehead later in the draft.
When do the Jets pick next in the 2022 NFL Draft?
As of the time they drafted Gardner, the Jets have these remaining picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.
- Round 1 (Pick 10 from Seahawks)
- Round 2 (Pick 35)
- Round 2 (Pick 38 from Panthers)
- Round 3 (Pick 69)
- Round 4 (Pick 111 from Panthers)
- Round 4 (Pick 117 from Vikings)
- Round 5 (Pick 146)
- Round 5 (Pick 163 from Steelers)
For the full results and upcoming draft order, check out our pick-by-pick tracker for the 2022 NFL Draft.