The New York Jets may have finished 7-10 last season (for the second year in a row), but it was not because of their defense. New York finished third in the NFL last season, allowing just 292.3 yards per game. Only the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs were better. The Jets were especially adept at pass coverage, finishing second in the NFL (behind the Chiefs) with just 168.3 passing yards allowed per game.
Of course, the most notable figure on New York’s passing defense is cornerback Sauce Gardner. Since coming into the NFL in 2022, the standout defensive back has won Defensive Rookie of the Year, been named to the Pro Bowl twice, and has been named First-Team All-Pro twice.
There is no doubt, of course, that he is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
New York Jets Cornerback Sauce Gardner Gets Disrespected by NFL Executive in ESPN Poll
ESPN recently polled NFL coaches, executives, and scouts to come up with the top-10 players at every position. Earlier on Thursday, they released the results of their cornerback rankings.
Gardner was ranked third, and one NFL executive did not have great things to say about the third-year All-Pro:
“One of the most overrated players in the league,” a high-ranking NFL personnel evaluator said. “You could call holding on him every play.”
Jeremy Fowler, who conducted the poll and wrote the analysis of the results, noted that several NFL executives left Gardner off their top-10 lists altogether, citing his “handsy reps.”
Is New York Jets Cornerback Sauce Gardner Really Overrated?
There is going to be a time in the not-so-distant future where some fans and analysts are going to start pointing at Gardner’s lack of interceptions as a knock against him. After all, he has just two interceptions in two seasons, and both of them came in his rookie year.
That being said, it is unwise to look at eye-popping stats like interceptions in an effort to judge the greatness of a player.
According to PFF, Gardner finished third amongst NFL cornerbacks last season in overall defense with an 88.6 grade. He finished second in coverage with a 90.8 grade.
Of course, PFF is not the end-all-and-be-all either. It has its flaws. However, it is noteworthy that Gardner ranks so high. It is also worth noting that the reason he does not have high interception numbers is because quarterbacks do not always throw the ball in his direction.
Critics, of course, will say that is because he is holding his receiver to keep them from getting open. However, today’s NFL quarterbacks have become good at throwing uncatchable balls in the direction of a held receiver in an effort to draw the flag by bringing attention to the matchup.
The fact of the matter, too, is that a flag could be called on just about every play. From holding at the line to holding in the passing game, something is missed on just about every play.
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