SI's 2022 NFL Re-Draft: Jets' Sophomore Stars Gardner and Wilson Rise into Top 3

CB Sauce Gardner and WR Garrett Wilson were unavailable to Gang Green in the fictional re-do

© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With the No. 1 pick in the 2022 National Football League Re-Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select Sauce Gardner, cornerback from Cincinnati.

Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano suggests that had they'd known then what they know now, NFL teams would've ranked Gardner atop their draft boards in 2022.

The SI scribe produced a re-draft of last year's first 32 selections and the New York Jets' All-Pro corner was the first player taken. Meanwhile, Gang Green' receiver Garrett Wilson, who was the No. 10 overall pick in 2022, rose into the Top 3 of the re-draft.

Gardner, who was the fourth player selected at the 2022 NFL Draft, earned All-Pro status en-route to the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Wilson also starred as a first-year pro, leading the Jets in receiving on the way to the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

"We got, at some point, possibly the best corner and the best receiver in the NFL. There’s a legit possibility I think for those two guys," said Gang Green quarterback Aaron Rodgers. "Maybe not this upcoming year — I still think that Davante [Adams] is in a league of his own — but those two kids are so talented."

From "2022 NFL Re-Draft: Sauce Gardner Goes No. 1, Brock Purdy No. 6":

1. Jaguars: Sauce Gardner, CB

Original pick: Travon Walker, edge

Gardner quickly established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the league with a historic rookie season. He might already be the best, but Denver’s Patrick Surtain II can argue against that. That’s how high Gardner set the bar in 2022, as a shutdown 6'3", 200-pound cornerback who can excel in man or zone coverage. Cornerbacks don’t get drafted No. 1, but the Jaguars likely wouldn’t hesitate to take Gardner knowing what we know now.

3. Texans: Garrett Wilson, WR

Original pick: Derek Stingley Jr., CB

Wilson’s sturdy hands and yards-after-catch skills made him a dynamic weapon for the Jets, despite poor quarterback play last season. Wilson, who was named Offensive Rookie of the Year, had 83 catches for 1,103 yards and four touchdowns. His numbers will probably look better in 2023 with Aaron Rodgers as his starting quarterback. But in this alternative universe, Wilson would make life easier for incoming rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

A few selections fell out of the first round in @GManzano24’s re-draft of the 2022 NFL draft, but a pair of Jets’ selections went even higher with the Nos. 1 and 3 choiceshttps://t.co/XKQLO3JLWM

— The MMQB (@theMMQB) June 8, 2023

Gardner recorded 20 passes defensed and limited opposing receivers to 5.3 yards per target as a rookie.

"The big challenge that’s been laid to him is his ability to get the ball," said Jets' defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich during OTAs on May 31. "Obviously, he led the league in passes defensed and had an amazing year, especially for a rookie. That’s the next step for him to become the great corner that we all know he can be."

Wilson exceeded the 1,100-yard receiving mark despite Gang Green's unstable quarterback situation in 2022. Now, he links up with a future Hall-of-Famer in Rodgers.

"He’s got all the talent and ability," said Rodgers when asked about working with the Jets' WR1. "You need your best players to be the best people on your team. He’s definitely one of them. Love spending time with him, love just watching him."

With Gardner going first to the Jaguars and Wilson coming off the board at No. 3 overall to the Houston Texans, the Jets wound up with cornerback Tariq Woolen with the No. 4 pick in the SI re-draft. The Green & White used the No. 10 selection on a receiver again, but with Wilson gone, Joe Douglas and Co. chose Christian Watson.

Edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, the Jets' third 2022 first-round pick (No. 26 overall), fell four spots into the No. 30 slot during the re-draft. Running back Breece Hall, who the Jets grabbed early in Round 2, leapt up into the first round and landed with the Buffalo Bills at No. 23 on the board.

Passing on Johnson, the Jets grabbed offensive tackle Trevor Penning at No. 26 overall in the 2022 Sports Illustrated Re-Draft.

Johnson saw a limited percentage of snaps as a rookie with the Jets in 2022, but the 6-foot-5 defensive end flashed ability. He logged 2.5 sacks and five quarterback hits in 14 games.

"He [Johnson] is in such a better place this year," said Ulbrich. "He understands exactly what he wants to get accomplished and, more importantly, he understands how to get that accomplished."

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Jets' Way Too Early 53-man Roster Projection

2022 Draft Review: Sauce Gardner Talked Talk, Walked Walk

2022 Draft Review: Garrett Wilson Becomes Instant WR1

2022 Draft Review: Jermaine Johnson Flashes Pass Rush Potential