About halfway through the NFL season, it is time to start seriously considering who should win the Rookie of the Year award.
Cornerback Sauce Gardner has been a major reason the New York Jets are a surprising 6-3, as he has been making things tough on opposing wide receivers.
Is he the best rookie in pro football, or is someone more deserving of such an honor?
Gardner Looks Like A Franchise Cornerstone
It isn’t easy to find lockdown corners in the NFL, especially in this day and age where pass interference rules are more restrictive than they were over a decade ago.
But through nine games, he is looking like a star on the rise.
The University of Cincinnati product has put up 44 tackles (30 solo), three tackles for loss, and two interceptions so far this season.
But his most impressive stat is his 13 passes defended, which actually leads the NFL.
they tried @iamSauceGardner.
Game over.#BUFvsNYJ on CBS. pic.twitter.com/93vkhZHils
— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 6, 2022
In fact, ESPN ranked him as the best rookie in the league, and he even received high praise from Darrelle Revis, himself a former star corner for New York.
“I think he has the potential to carry the torch on to be a great cornerback for the New York Jets,” said Revis. “I think his ceiling is very high. I think he has all the tangibles. I think he has all the potential to continue to grow into a great player, a great corner and a great leader as he represents the New York Jets.”
Gardner Has Lots Of Competition
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker, New Orleans Saints wideout Chris Olave, and Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce will make it very tough for Gardner to be considered the top rookie in the NFL.
In addition, one of Gardner’s own teammates, Garrett Wilson, should also get some consideration.
Perhaps the former Bearcat won’t be the Rookie of the Year, but he should be a shoo-in for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
