Jets' two-time All-Pro CB Sauce Gardner came in at No. 38 on the 2024 NFL Top 100 list in a vote by, voted on by the players.
Gardner, 23, had his second consecutive All-Pro season last year after recording 11 PDs, 1 FF, and 57 tackles. Gardner was an integral part of a defense that ranked third in yards allowed per game (292.3).
"I mean he's been a first team All-Pro the last two years and I think he's going to continue on that trajectory just with his mindset," fellow CB D.J. Reed said. "If you didn't know him you would think that he came in this year as a rookie just with how eager he is to learn in the classroom and even on the field."
After capturing the Offensive Rookie of the Year award along with Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in 2022, Gardner became the first cornerback since the NFL/AFL merger (1970) to be named first team All-Pro in each of his first two seasons. Since 2010, only 17 position players have made the Pro Bowl in each of their first two seasons, while only five others were named starters in each of their first two Pro Bowls.
"I'm just trying to come here day in and day out and be the best teammate that I could be," Gardner said. "That's just accolades, none of that changes the fact that I'm still trying to be a sponge."
According to Pro Football Focus, last season Gardner was ranked first in coverage grades (90.8) among all cornerbacksCBs with at least 80% of the snaps. As he enters his third season in the league, Gardner emphasized there is plenty of room for improvement.
"I still don't know everything that I need to know," he said. "I'm not perfect like I always say. So, I'm still just trying to find ways to just keep getting better and improve my game and find ways to be able to help others as well."
