Ourlads' Profile:
2022 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about SAUCE GARDNER:
Cincinnati, 6026 190 4.41. Junior entry, three-year starter, Detroit, MI. First-team All-AAC, unanimous AAC Player of the Year and consensus first-team All-America. Slim frame but outstanding length and physicality for the position. Has experience in a variety of coverage and technique including press and off-man as well as outside third and quarter zone. Adept as a press corner using long arms to disrupt release with two and off-hand jams. Ignores the first move away from his leverage and can stick a double move at the line. Can ride an outside release to the sideline. Has solid mirror ability reacting to route breaks and undercutting a route to get to the ball. Shows excellent ball skills as he’s quick breaking on the ball and has been productive getting his hands to the catch point. Has two touchdown returns on interceptions in his career. Quick with his pedal in off-coverage he generally transitions well and can stay in phase up the field. Processes route combinations in outside zone and can close voids finding the throwing lane. Has forced quarterbacks to look elsewhere. Flashes physical play in run support and shows excellent tackling skill using his length to wrap up ball carriers. Will give up yards after contact at times but is usually secure. In off-coverage there is some inconsistency with cushion as he will give up too much room at times. Not always smooth with his pedal he can be segmented in transition slowing his reaction. Turn and run is a little herky-jerky at times. Can get too close to receivers in tight man and is prone to grabbing on route breaks. Has had more than his share of holding and interference penalties. Improving overall footwork can help with these issues. He has top tier talent.
2021 stats: 40 T, 5 TFL, 3 sacks, 4 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FF, 3 INT. OSR:10/32. First round. (A-33 1/2, H-9 5/8, VJ-DNP, SS-DNP).