On Wednesday, NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah named Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner as the highest rookie within the 2022 class after 4 weeks.
Although Gardner has been praised for a way rapidly he has carried out on the NFL degree, he’s about to obtain his greatest check of the season Sunday.
Not solely will Gardner and D.J. Reed must take care of Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill, however the crew additionally has Jaylen Waddle and tight finish Mike Gesicki.
“It’s a big challenge,” Gardner mentioned. “It’s an enormous alternative for the secondary to why we belong and why we’re probably the greatest within the NFL.
“I’m looking forward to it and I know the rest of my guys are.”
After being chosen No. 4 total in final April’s draft, Gardner has impressed the Jets employees and gamers.
During his first 4 video games, Gardner has lined up reverse gamers like Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Browns receiver Amari Cooper, Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson and Ravens tight finish Mark Andrews. But enjoying in opposition to the pace of the Dolphins’ receivers comes with completely different challenges.
Hill and Waddle have been the perfect receiver tandem within the league through the first quarter of the season. Hill leads the NFL in receiving yards with 477 yards, together with 31 catches and two touchdowns. Waddle is sixth in receiving yards as he has 21 receptions for 381 yards and three touchdowns whereas averaging 18.1 yards per catch.
In the 24-20 victory over the Steelers final week, Gardner was focused seven occasions however solely allowed two catches for 9 yards and allowed a passer score of 39.6, in response to Pro Football Focus. Gardner additionally has an total grade of 71.1 as he’s allowed 9 catches on 19 targets for 101 yards and a landing.
Reed, who performs on the other facet of Gardner, and who was signed in free company, has a 75.4 PFF grade. By these metrics, Gardner and Reed are two of the perfect cornerbacks within the league.
As a crew, the Jets recorded 4 interceptions in opposition to the Steelers, three in opposition to rookie Kenny Pickett and one in opposition to Mitch Trubisky. Even early in his profession, Gardner already seems to be like a prime cornerback as he’s even conducting himself like one off the sector as nicely.
After the sport ended in opposition to the Steelers, Gardner began watching movie of each Hill and Waddle to know every participant’s tendencies.
“Some of my individual goals line up with me going up against guys that are great like Tyreek Hill and the other receivers that I’ve went against,” Gardner mentioned.
“We talked loads about it and we had been speaking about it proper after the Pittsburgh recreation. We at all times speak concerning the quarterbacks we’re going up in opposition to and the receiver and the way they may attempt to goal us.
“I feel like that’s why we’ve been able to do so well so far.”
The Dolphins might be shorthanded this weekend as they are going to be with out beginning quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. In Miami’s 27-15 loss to the Bengals final week, Tagovailoa suffered a concussion and was dominated out this week by Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel on Monday.
Veteran backup Teddy Bridgewater will begin rather than Tagovailoa. Bridgwater accomplished 14 of 23 passes for 193 yards, a landing, and an interception in reduction.
Because Bridgewater might be underneath heart, the Dolphins might rely extra on their dashing assault as a substitute of throwing the ball deep, which has what the crew has finished loads this season.
“The challenge for him, again, he’s doing a really nice job making sure everything is contested,” Jets coach Robert Saleh mentioned about Gardner.
“He’s tackling rather well. He’s absorbing plenty of info. He’s studying on the fly. He’s within the movie room, him, D.J. [Reed], Bryce Hall, [Brandin] Echols, they’re all doing a extremely good job assembly collectively, Michael Carter II.
“They’re doing a great job meeting together and getting with the safeties to make sure we’re all seeing things the same way. His sky’s the limit. He’s going to be a special player. Knock on wood. So, as the season goes and he gets more reps, he’s only going to get better.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com