2022 NFL Draft: The top prospect from every top 10 ranked team
10. Cincinnati Bearcats
Best Prospect: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner
The Cincinnati Bearcats will surprise the average College Football fan when they perform extremely well this upcoming season. But anyone who watched the team last year knows that their roster is loaded with NFL talent. The alma mater of both Travis and Jason Kelce could have multiple prospects high on draft radars next spring.
As they currently stands Ahmad Gardner has the best chance to be the Bearcats highest drafted prospect. However the biggest factor is the performance of quarterback Desmond Ridder who could likely develop into a first round prospect by the end of the year. But for now Sauce Gardner should be the prospect teams are looking at from Cincinnati right now.
Ahmad Gardner is entering his junior year at Cincinnati. During his freshman season Gardner had 31 combined tackles (24 solo tackles), 11 passes defended, and three interceptions. PFF gave Gardner a 90.9 grade after his freshman season. He was a First-Team All-AAC selection that season. PFF selected Gardner to their third-team All-America team and The Athletic named him to their Freshman All-America team.
Gardner continued to play well in his sophomore season. In nine games Gardner had 28 combined tackles (16 solo tackles), nine passes defended, and three interceptions. According to PFF, Gardner allowed the third-lowest passer rating in the FBS in coverage in 2020 (39.6). After two seasons Gardner still has not given up a passing touchdown. For the second straight season Gardner was named First Team All-AAC.
In a loaded cornerback class Gardner can be selected anywhere between the first two rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft depending on if he commits this year and how he performs. A few teams who could be interested in drafting Gardner ths upcoming draft could be the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, and Kansas City Chiefs.
Next. Best Picks of the 2018 NFL Draft. dark
Honorable Mentions:
Desmond Ridder, Quarterback
Myjai Sanders, Edge Rusher
Josh Whyle, Tight End