Sauce Sighting at the NFL Combine

The NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year spent time with Rich Eisen and Daniel Jeremiah in the broadcast booth and he also made his way down onto the field

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner attended the NFL Scouting Combine for the second year in a row, but he wasn’t interviewing for a job this time around.

Gardner, who won the 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, has already solidified his status as the Jets’ CB1.

Appearing in Indianapolis on Friday, March 3, Gardner was a guest during NFL Network’s Combine coverage.

Gardner spent time with Rich Eisen and Daniel Jeremiah in the broadcast booth and he also made his way down onto the field for an on-camera interview with NFL Network reporter Rhett Lewis and Indianapolis Colts defensive back Kenny Moore.

During a lighthearted moment in the broadcast booth, Gardner reviewed Jeremiah’s scouting report on him from the 2022 NFL Draft process with Jeremiah sitting directly to his right side.

Before his time in the booth comes to an end, @iamsaucegardner reviews @movethesticks' notes on him from last year 📝

📺: #NFLCombine on NFL Network
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/aFSdX7N8cL

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 3, 2023

“‘His overall awareness is magnificent.’ I like that word,” Gardner exclaimed.

When it comes to his 2022 NFL Combine participation, Gardner was indeed magnificent.

After starring at Cincinnati, the 2021 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year posted the highest “production” score amongst the cornerback prospects according to the NFL’s @NextGenStats.

The final day of the 2022 NFL Combine begins with the cornerback group.@GoBearcatsFB's Ahmad Gardner (97 production score) and @LSUfootball's Derek Stingley Jr. (90) both earned "elite" production scores.#NextGenScores pic.twitter.com/LXVPQhFqP0

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 6, 2022

Gardner, who ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash, registered a 97 “production” score that ranked him third overall amongst all cornerbacks who were invited to the Combine since 2018.

The self-proclaimed “Best Player in the Draft” wound up going to the Jets at No. 4 overall and the rest was history.

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

On his way to becoming the Jets’ fifth-ever recipient of the Defensive Rookie of the Year honor, Gardner started all 17 games and led the NFL by recording 20 passes defensed. The 6-foot-3 cornerback, who totaled 75 tackles, allowed only two touchdowns the entire season per NextGenStats.

We give you an even higher score than your prospect grade. Come back anytime! 📈 https://t.co/Qmkmon4o1l

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 3, 2023

Ralph Ventre is a former college football conference administrator who brings 20 years of media experience to the New York Jets beat. Follow Jets Country on Twitter (@NewYorkJetsFN).