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The one rip on New York Jets’ first-round cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner out of the draft was his thin and wiry frame.
Although that same length and lankiness are also a couple of his greatest attributes in coverage, there was no question that the press specialist needed to bulk up a bit ahead of one-on-ones with NFL talent. From college to the pro-level, there is always a noticeable step up in size and physicality.
For that reason, Gardner took it upon himself to gain some muscle since draft night.
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‘More Weight I’ve Been Putting on, the Better I Feel’
The 21-year-old addressed the media this week on August 8, and he was asked whether or not he’s made any progress in the weight department.
“Yeah,” Gardner replied. “When I got here I was probably 190 [pounds]… then I got up to around 200 [pounds]. Around that, like 198 [to 200 range].”
A reporter followed up to confirm that the rookie had actually gained eight to 10 pounds of muscle since late April. “Yeah,” he answered again, continuing: “It’s actually allowed me to get a lot more fast and more explosive, so I feel good. It’s like the more weight I’ve been putting on, the better I feel.”
Make no mistake Jets fans, that extra 10 pounds of muscle will be crucial for Gardner in year one. At such a young age, his play strength will be the number one adjustment outside of figuring out NFL routes and schemes.
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Sauce, Fans Ready to ‘Dominate’ in Preseason
As we creep closer and closer to the initial preseason game of the 2022 campaign, all eyes will be on Gardner getting his first taste of NFL action against another organization.
“Being able to dominate whoever lines up in front of me,” the CB told team reporter Caroline Hendershot when asked about his expectations for himself against the Philadelphia Eagles. “That’s just always my expectation.”
Gardner has made good on that personal promise at training camp so far.
“Sauce Gardner, again, shutting down Garrett Wilson in the corner of the end zone one on one. Gave Zach Wilson nowhere to go,” The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt tweeted on August 10, adding: “Gardner has not had a bad practice in camp.”
Later, on The Athletic’s “Can’t Wait Podcast,” Rosenblatt praised the rookie even further. “Honestly, he’s been extremely impressive,” the beat reporter relayed. “Cornerbacks are bound to get beat in camp, there are some drills where it favors the offense and stuff like that. I legitimately don’t think I’ve seen him get beat, especially when he goes one on one.”
After showing up with a lockdown performance at the Green & White scrimmage, fans are ready to see Gardner go up against wide receivers with different jerseys and the rookie is hyped for that too.
“Since I first got here, I’m a rookie [so] I just gotta make sure I have great attention to detail and [I’m not just] out there going through the motions,” he told Hendershot. “I’ve approached [the Eagles game] the same way but I guess my mentality has changed because I’m not going to be going against the same people every day. The uniform’s going to be a little different [but] that’s the only thing that’s changed.”
With D.J. Reed Jr. sidelined from a hamstring injury, Gardner should start in Philadelphia opposite third-year cornerback Bryce Hall.
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