Eying A New Lucrative Contract With The Jets, Sauce Gardner Slips To 47th In The CB Rankings

CB 1 Gardner's performance in 2024 was underwhelming, but new HC and former CB Aaron Glenn has assembled a talented group around him for support, including a draft pick from FSU.

Sauce Gardner slid to 47th out of 52 cornerbacks in this year’s rankings but under the guidance of new HC and former CB Aaron Glenn, the Jets are expecting him to return to his All-Pro form.

His precipitous fall, as reported by FOX radio is based on Expected Points Added Per Target.

Despite changes to the defensive backfield this year, the team is expected to field a solid group. They only gave up 192.6 air yards per week in 2024, the fourth-lowest weekly total in the league.

Gardner’s new teammates include Brandon Stephens, who replaced DJ Reed. GM Darren Mougey, who worked with Stephens in Detroit inked a three-year deal with him.

The draft may also prove favorable. Azareye'h Thomas, a third rounder from FSU will compete for a starting role and also adds needed depth to the CB room.

The team’s safeties look, on paper, to be a solid group with a few offseason additions. Tony Adams returns, and Andre Cisco replaces Chuck Clark. Alabama rookie Malachi Moore is highly touted, adding a depth piece. He’s also eyed as a potential starter.

A report by Pro Football Focus has the DB group just missing the top ten in their rankings at 11th out of 32 secondaries.

Glenn has acknowledged in press reports that he will be working closely with the 24-year old Gardner to get things turned around for him.

Gardner has admitted he needs to do a better job.

New defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has also thrown down a challenge to the superstar: raise your game to a new level, ESPN reports.

Gardner not only accepted the challenge; he welcomed it.

The fourth pick drafted in 2022, Gardner won accolades immediately, named Defensive Rookie Of The Year. He also garnered his first All-Pro.

He topped that In 2023, when he was named All-Pro again and reached a milestone-the first All-Pro selections in an NFL player’s first two seasons since the AFL-NFL merger.

The talent is there. With all the work the coaches are putting in with him, expect a deal signed sooner than later.

So any rumors of Gardner’s departure are greatly exaggerated.

-Boca Joe