The NY Jets have been getting a lot of media coverage in recent years but for the wrong reasons. Whether it is instability within the team or the inability to win on the field, it has not been a good time for the Jets. But even in these bad times, there is one bright spot catching people's attention: the emergence of the CB Sauce Gardner. A mainstay on the Jets defense, Gardener has showcased talents that, even in his short career, have earned him comparison to some of the best CBs to play the game. He has made his presence known and given a lot of Jets fans hope for the future of their defense.
Below, we will examine Sauce Gardener's career and his chances of winning the Defensive Player of the Year award, which only six CBs have won since its introduction in 1971.
The career of Sauce Gardener
Sauce Gardener was selected with the
4th overall pick in the 2022 draft after a three-year career at Cincinnati. During his career at Cincinnati, he was voted to the 2021 College Football All-American Team and won the AAC Defensive Player of the Year award at the same time.
Coming into his first year, there were high expectations for the rookie, and he delivered with an astounding season where he recorded 70 tackles, two interceptions, and a league-leading 20 passes defended. All of these helped him win the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, a spot on the Pro Bowl, and become the first rookie CB on the first-team All-Pro since 1981.
He followed up that 2022 season with another noteworthy 2023 season, recording 55 tackles. While not recording an interception, he did have 12 passes defended, earning him another Pro Bowl and All-Pro slot.
His first two seasons have cemented his place as one of the top defensive players in the league, and comparisons have been drawn between him and another famed New York Jets cornerback, Darrelle Revis.
Darrelle
Revis is a Hall of Fame CB who, in his 11 seasons, played with the Jets from 2007-2012 and briefly from 2015-2016.
During this time, he was considered one of the most dominant CBs, recording 29 interceptions, 496 tackles, and was voted to the Pro Bowl seven times.
The comparison between these two players comes from their aggressive playing style, which leaves very little room for receivers to maneuver, often leading quarterbacks to avoid throwing the ball in their direction.
Going into his third year, Gardener is expected to continue this dominance, taking notes from the prior two seasons and improving further.
Does he have a chance of winning the DPOY?
As mentioned before, it is rare for a CB to win DPOY. This award, especially in the modern era, typically goes to a linebacker or defensive lineman, who are often very visible in the game and either get 100+ tackles in a season or record many sacks.
Even though CBs do a lot for the game, many of their contributions are not well publicized compared to a defensive lineman or linebacker. So, it's hard for them to stand out and showcase why they deserve the award.
But with Gardener's dominance, there's a chance he could join the ranks of Deion Sanders and Charles Woodson in winning the DPOY as a CB.
According to the
latest gambling news stories, his current odds are +6000, while the frontrunner, Micah Parson's odds are at +600.
While there is some distance between him and the frontrunner, it is still the offseason for the NFL, and being even remotely in the running for DPOY as a CB is a testament to his talents.
If his performance this upcoming season surpasses what it has been for his first two seasons in the league, his chance of winning will increase, and he will be a serious contender for the award toward the end of the season.
Conclusion
Every team is looking for that difference-maker, that player, whether on the defensive or offensive end, who they can build around.
It has only been two seasons, but Sauce Gardener has shown that he can be that difference-making player for the New York Jets on the defensive side.
While he has much playing left to do, and anything is possible in the NFL, he has demonstrated a talent only a few CBs have shown in recent years.
While the comparison between him and Darrelle Revis may continue for most of his career, he is looking to build his own legacy.
