The Sauce is strong in New York and Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner may have some hardware for his trophy case after this season.
The fourth overall pick in this year’s draft is catching the eye of media in New York and across the country.
NFL Insider Brian Baldinger said on the Audacy Original Podcast “In The Huddle” that he thinks Sauce will win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
“Who’s the rookie of the year, the defensive rookie of the year, Baldy? Sauce, Hutchinson, Tariq Woolen?” Dukes asked (18:08 in player above).
“Well, Woolen has the numbers. He’s got the six interceptions. Sauce plays in New York and I’ve seen the ball go over his head for a completion once the whole year – defended one on the goal line last week against Buffalo,” Baldinger said. “To me, Sauce is the guy right now, just overall play.”
Gardner is currently the odds-on favorite at around -500, which implies an 83.33% chance of winning the award.
According to Pro Football Focus, he’s allowed 26 receptions on 59 targets with two interceptions and 44 solo tackles this season. He leads all cornerbacks with a PFF grade of 87.2.
Woolen and Hutchinson also have a case for the award, but it may take Sauce faltering at this point.
“Tariq has been – I call him ‘the shadow’ because the only thing faster than Tariq is his shadow. He is a phenomenal player. We get a chance to watch him on National TV (Thursday night),” Baldinger continued. “If he picks Brock Purdy, that might be enough on National TV in a big game, in a big spot, a division game. Sometimes the National exposure in a big spot can kind of tip the scales.”
“I agree. Hutchinson’s had a great year as well. I don’t want to dismiss him,” Dukes said. “I think one of those three guys will win Defensive Rookie of the Year.”
The Jets used two top-10 picks in this year’s draft and it’s looking like they hit on them early on.
Sauce was drafted fourth overall and is the favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year, plus Garrett Wilson was drafted 10th overall and is the favorite – although by not as much – for Offensive Rookie of the Year
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