Ahmad Gardner Finds Familiar Home in Latest Mock Draft

Gardner is the consensus top-ranked cornerback in this class.

CINCINNATI — ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. revealed his latest 2022 NFL mock draft and kept things relatively static. He still has Ahmad Gardner going in the top-10—while Desmond Ridder missed out on the first round.

Kiper slotted Gardner to New York Jets at No. 10.

"I think the Jets would be thrilled to get a shutdown corner with their second Round 1 pick," Kiper wrote. "Improving a secondary that allowed quarterbacks to put up a 53.5 QBR last season, which ranked 31st in the league. Signing D.J. Reed will help, but I still see cornerback as a need. They also need a safety, but I don't have another one with a first-round grade after Kyle Hamilton.

"Gardner is a shutdown corner with outstanding tools. He showed in the College Football Playoff against Alabama that he can hold his own against elite talent. I'm a huge fan."

Sauce is the consensus top-ranked cornerback in this class and the sixth-best player overall. Kiper followed the trend of Gardner landing in the Big Apple. The Jets are his most popular mock draft landing spot—with him landing there in 16% of mocks.

Matt Corral, Kenny Pickett, and Malik Willis were the only QBs Kiper slated as first-round picks in this mock.

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