2022 NFL Draft: Ahmad Gardner the top prospect outside the Power 5

In the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft there are a lot of young enticing prospects on the defensive side of the ball. Arguably the number one prospect in Kayvon Thibodeaux off the edge, safety Kyle Hamilton from Notre Dame, and lockdown corner Derek Stingley who was arguably the best defensive player in college football last season round up the top of the list of defensive prospects.

Even though there is a lot of talent from the Power Five schools on defense in the 2022 NFL Draft, Ahmad Gardner who plays at a non-power five school in Cinncinatti has all the physical traits and skills to be highly ranked in this year’s class.

Gardner is a lanky, big-framed corner out of the American conference who stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs around 190 pounds. In Gardner’s two seasons as a Bearcat, starting since he was a true freshman, the young corner has collected six interceptions and has become their shutdown corner. Gardner has a unique skill set of being a big corner but also having great technical skills in his game. Thriving in press coverage at the line of scrimmage, but also having great technique to cover space in zone coverage.

Gardner has great eye control that allows him to use his speed to close gaps in zone coverage and spot balls in tight man. Gardner is not afraid to use his big frame with smaller opponents, and he could potentially be the best press corner in this draft with his size and technique. Having the combination to be a big, physical press corner Gardner does not lack ball skills and has great hands. There are not many flaws in this press corner’s game and it shows on tape.

Where Ahmed Gardner thrives in many areas there is some improvement that could be done to his game. Gardner showed fairly average footwork but ultimately used raw athleticism to recover on overplayed coverage. Although Gardner is young and has shown improvement in this area so it should not be an issue going forward. Just like tackling is not an issue for the young corner who showed to stay center and use his body to make open-field tackles.

Ahmed Gardner might not be a big name because of where he plays and is not in the Power Five but has shown he could rise on 2022 NFL Draft boards this season. Gardner reminds me a lot of Greg Newsome the recent first-rounder out of Northwestern being he is athletic with a big frame, but not much recognition. Gardner has the size, skill, and technique to be potentially a top 15 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Even though Gardner will not be playing in many primetime games, the young corner is for sure a primetime player.