NFL Draft 2022: New York Jets draft Ahmad Gardner No.4 overall
Armed with two first-round picks, the New York Jets look to provide their franchise with two cornerstone players starting with Ahmad Gardner at No. 4 overall.
The New York Jets are back in familiar territory, the territory of performing so poorly that they end up with a top-five pick in the NFL Draft. Thanks to a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, they have the fortune of having the 10th overall pick as well.
But, Seattle’s trade of Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos means the Pacific Northwest will pick 9th, one selection ahead of New York’s second spot in the top 10. That is not the point, at least for now.
With this selection, it is to be noted that the New York Jets cannot prevaricate from sticking to the roots of acquiring the right talent as opposed to reaching for its namesake. They happen to strike rich with their belief by selecting Ahmad Gardner out of Cincinnati with the 4th overall pick.
The New York Jets address a glaring need in the secondary with the selection of Ahmad Gardner with the 4th overall pick
You just don’t get the “Sauce” nickname unless you’ve earned it. Ahmad Gardner has undoubtedly earned it. Last season, while the Bearcats were making a name for themselves and securing a berth in the college football playoff, Gardner made life difficult for wide receivers.
Last season, Gardner earned named first-team Associated Press All-American and received the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year award. Gardner recorded 40 total tackles, three interceptions, and four pass deflections.
In his career, he had nine picks with 18 pass deflections. In other words, if you throw the ball in his direction, you best think twice.
NFL Network’s Rich Eisen has been clamoring for the New York Jets to draft Gardner throughout this offseason. When a caller called into his show asking if he would pass on Gardner if Aidan Hutchinson were miraculously available at 4, Eisen naturally chose Hutchinson, but anyone else would have likely been passed on for Gardner.
Now, Eisen gets to enjoy his wish come true as Gardner will be expected to play a role in helping return the Jets to credibility, which has been lacking since Darrelle Revis occupied the Gang Green secondary.