Nov 20, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Ahmad Gardner (1) and cornerback Coby Bryant (7) react after cornerback Arquon Bush (not pictured) blocked a field goal by the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Height: 6026
Weight: 190
Hand Size: 958
Arm Size: 3348
Wingspan: 7938
40-Yard Dash: 4.41
Vertical Jump: —
Broad Jump: —
3-Cone Drill: —
Bench Press: —
Games Watched: Indiana 2021, Notre Dame 2021, Houston 2021, Alabama 2021 (CFP Semi)
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner has the tools to play both man or zone coverage at a high level. He has a great mirror/match technique that helps him be sticky in man coverage at all levels of the field. Gardner has high-level instincts that allow him to be in position to make a play on every snap, even when his technique isn’t great. His hip fluidity and smooth back pedal allow for great change of direction, with veteran-esque ball skills that make him a threat to opposing quarterbacks. He will come downhill and be a sound tackler in the run game as well as in space, even willing to take on bigger ball carriers. Gardner has tremendous length at 33 4/8” arms (2nd-highest at the Scouting Combine) to be an ideal starting cornerback in nearly any defensive system. If you want to get creative and put in the slot against some “big slot” types like Mike Gesicki you could, but he is best used shutting down a third of the field on the perimeter.
The Jets currently have a need at cornerback, although it may not be one worth addressing with a first round pick. New York signed D.J. Reed during Free Agency, and have traditionally spent mid-to-late round picks on the position. While his tape, talent and potential warrant him being a top-10 “lock” in this year’s draft, it is unlike Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh to swing early on Ahmad Gardner. If he is still on the board at 10th overall, it would surely be an interesting discussion inside the Jets’ war room.