New York Jets‘ cornerback Sauce Gardner has only two interceptions in two NFL seasons, but there are plenty of other metrics that justify the CB1’s back-to-back All-Pro First Team selections.
With 141 balls thrown his way, Gardner has been charged for allowing only two touchdown passes. In fact, his lockdown coverage has already convinced opposing quarterbacks to look elsewhere on the field rather than force a pass to Gardner’s side.
The 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year has been as good as it gets during late-game situations, according to Pro Football Focus. Gardner, who holds PFF’s No. 1 overall cornerback ranking heading into 2024, has accounted for two eye-popping PFF-calculated statistics over the last two seasons.
When it comes to fourth-quarter pass coverage, Gardner has been the NFL standard since 2022. The former No. 4 overall draft choice has permitted a league-low 76 receiving yards during the fourth quarter and overtime.
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Ranking first amongst NFL defenders, Gardner, who will turn 24 years old on August 31, has limited opposing passers to a 36.7 completion percentage when targeting him over the final 15:00.
Since adding Gardner and DJ Reed in 2022, the Jets’ pass defense has been a Top 3 NFL unit and their superstar has been even better in the clutch.
