Ahmad Gardner Firmly in Top-Half of First Round in Latest Mock Drafts; Desmond Ridder, Myjai Sanders Settle Into Second Round

The Bearcats could have three players drafted in the first round this April.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Feb 7, 2022 3:42 PM EST

CINCINNATI — The latest major mock drafts released on Monday, and a few Bearcats were scattered on the lists. ESPN's Jordan Reid unveiled a full two-round mock draft that featured three former UC stars.

Ahmad Gardner went first off of the board at No. 16 to the Philadelphia Eagles.

"Philadelphia hasn't selected a cornerback in the first round since Lito Sheppard in 2002, and it's time for that streak to come to an end," Reid said. "With Avonte Maddox and Darius Slay the only consistent starters in the secondary, Gardner brings a potential shutdown presence on the perimeter. He was the best prospect I saw up close when I live-scouted him in 2021. Every bit of 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, Gardner can play man and zone coverage, but it's his physical traits and body movements at that size that could move him even higher. Based on what I've heard from NFL scouts, don't be surprised if Gardner is the first corner off the board in April's draft."

Reid had Myjai Sanders and Desmond Ridder going in the first half of the second round. Sanders got things rolling with a selection at No. 35 by the New York Jets.

"The Jets' defense was historically bad in multiple categories last season, and it could use depth at every position," Reid described. "Getting back Carl Lawson from injury could be a big addition to its pass rush, but Sanders is the exact type of weakside defensive end who could thrive in Robert Saleh's defense. Sanders' ability to consistently generate pressure as well as being an underrated run defender could give the franchise a boost. The Jets haven't had a player record a double-digit sack season since Muhammad Wilkerson in 2015."

Ridder went off the board to the Colts with pick No. 47.

"Don't be surprised if the Colts take a quarterback with their first pick in this draft," Reid wrote. "General manager Chris Ballard was clearly not happy about Carson Wentz's finish to the season. The 6-foot-3 Ridder is polished in going through progressions -- he took a big step in 2021, leading the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff -- and he can execute in all areas of the field. He could be an appealing backup plan to Wentz, who isn't owed much guaranteed money on the rest of his contract."

On the other big mock draft of the day, Pro Football Focus writer Seth Galina had Gardner going in the top-10 just like his colleague, Sam Monson, did last week.

Gardner went to the Denver Broncos at No. 9.

"The Broncos could opt for a quarterback," Galina wrote. "But I don't think any are worthy of this pick. Instead, they take Gardner to pair with Patrick Surtain II. A new defensive system could mean more man coverage for the Broncos, and opposing offenses will have a tough time throwing on those two players on the outside. Gardner is as good in press-man coverage as anyone in the draft and has never allowed a touchdown in his career."

Galina did not mock any QBs in the first round because he does not have a single one in this class pegged with a first-round grade. Sanders has a chance to crack the first round of these mocks in the coming months if he can wow at the NFL Combine and Cincinnati Pro Day in the coming months.

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