2022 NFL Mock Draft: Panthers, Steelers, Lions All Take QBs In Round 1
By Evan Bachman
7. New York Giants: Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
As of right now, James Bradberry is still on the Giants roster, however it looks like they’ll likely be either trading or releasing him to open up cap room. If he’s not going to be on the team next season that opens up a pretty big need for a corner opposite Adoree Jackson, especially considering how important corners are in Don Martindale’s defense.
Entering the 2021 season, Sauce Gardner was seen as a borderline first round pick. However, after a phenomenal junior season where he led a stellar Bearcats defense to a playoff berth and a combine performance where he posted a 4.41 40 yard dash he now looks like a lock for the top ten.
Last season, offenses just completely avoided throwing at Gardner at times. So much so that the most yards he gave up in a single game was just 18. He also didn’t allow a single touchdown over his entire career, both of those stats are quite remarkable.
Gardner projects well to the NFL as he’s got tremendous size at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, good length, good speed, and he’s displayed good ball skills over the course of his career in the rare cases where opposing quarterbacks throw at him.