Gang Green Nation
Sauce has started his Jets career with greatness
New York Jets Cornerback Sauce Gardner has been just about everything that the Jets could have hoped for since he was drafted in 2022 as he has logged two All Pro and two Pro Bowl nods. While the 2024 season saw much go wrong, a little too much heat probably landed on Sauce Gardner for what was viewed as poor tackling. Admittedly, Pro Football Focus agreed with that assessment with a tackling grade of 48.6.
However, that didn’t diminish all of the good that Gardner brought in coverage, which was stellar with a PFF grade of 72.3 that ranked 20th in the league last season. In addition, PFF seems to be anticipating a bounce back in 2025, as they ranked him as their top cornerback.
Within the larger article, they expanded on that rationale, writing the below:
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.
Unsurprisingly, Gardner’s PFF advanced coverage grade ranks first, as well. While he might not shadow opposing wide receivers at a high rate, he has excelled when asked to do so.
All that said, it sure seems to be much ado about nothing regarding Gardner’s dropoff.
