Want the best possible review on the New York Jets’ fourth-overall pick? Ask someone who has recently faced him such as Braxton Berrios.
Plus, Jets fans will like what Berrios had to say.
With spring practice wrapped up, Berrios had a chance to go one-on-one with cornerback Sauce Gardner, New York’s first of three Round 1 selections at the 2022 NFL draft.
It’s praise that’s hard to top.
“He’s everything that I think you’d look for in a corner. He’s long, he has range, he gets football,” Berrios said via the Adam Schefter Podcast. “He’s fast, he has all the attributes. And I think more than any of that, he wants to be great.”
Berrios’ last reference was in regard to a bit of a side conversation during the interview. He discussed with Schefter how Gardner is different than some other rookies he’s seen. The two talked about how some draft picks can just simply settle for that… being selected in the NFL.
Not Sauce.
“I don’t get that sense absolutely whatsoever from him,” Berrrios said.
This same drive matches what Gardner said after the Jets picked him. Following the draft, Gardner referenced how his work is only getting started.
“I haven’t really accomplished anything,” Gardner said at rookie minicamp. “I’ve accomplished my dream, I’m here, but I got to sustain it. I’ve got to show them why I’m here.”
Gardner will highlight a revamped secondary in New York. But the Jets aren’t putting everything on the rookie’s shoulder in Year 1.
Gardner could potentially be a top-tier lockdown player in the future, however, out of the gate, he’ll have help via other free-agent additions. Those include cornerback DJ Reed and safety Jordan Whitehead.
Doing so was smart and savvy by the Jets–Along with identifying Gardner’s drive.
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