Sauce Gardner: Ranking| PFF Grade| Injury| Net Worth| Stats

Introduction

Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner has emerged as one of the elite cornerbacks in the NFL since being drafted. In this deep-dive article, we’ll explore his ranking among peers, advanced metrics via PFF grades, injury history, estimated net worth, and comprehensive stats — all optimised for SEO with unique content and actionable insights.

Early Career & Background

Born August 31, 2000 in Detroit, Michigan, Gardner attended Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School and later played college football at University of Cincinnati (2019-2021).
He declared for the 2022 NFL Draft and was selected 4th overall by the New York Jets.

Young, long-limbed (6’3.5″, 187 lb) and agile, he quickly stood out for his coverage ability in college and carried that into the NFL.
His nickname “Sauce” came early, attributed to his youth football coach playing off his quickness and style.

Ranking & Reputation

When assessing Gardner among his positional peers, several key aspects stand out:

• PFF coverage grade since 2022: 91.9 — league-best among cornerbacks.

• Over that span he has forced a league-high 46 incompletions and allowed only 0.60 yards per coverage snap.

• PFF also recently ranked him the No.1 cornerback heading into the 2025 season.

These metrics underpin his status as an elite shutdown corner. However, ranking also involves broader context:

• Consistency: Being elite as a rookie and sustaining high performance is rare; Gardner made First-Team All-Pro in both 2022 and 2023.

• Impact vs. spectre: Sometimes a top-corner’s job is convincing QBs not to throw his way — Gardner has achieved that.

• Growth and adaptation: As offenses adjust to him, his ability to maintain elite status will determine his long-term ranking.

Verdict on ranking: He is firmly among the best — arguably the top cornerback in the NFL entering his prime — thanks to advanced metrics and early accolades. For those looking at “CB1” status, Gardner belongs in that conversation.

PFF Grade & Advanced Metrics

Delving deeper into the analytics:

• According to the PFF page, his overall grade for 2025 shows 71.3, ranking 22nd among 107 cornerbacks.

• On the broader ranking article, PFF notes his coverage grade since 2022 is 91.9, leading the league.

• Other metrics: He has the league-lowest yards allowed per cover snap and top first-down plus touchdown rate in coverage.

What the numbers mean in plain English

• A 90+ coverage grade over multiple seasons means he rarely gives up big plays and effectively limits receivers when targeted.

• A 0.60 yards allowed per cover-snap figure indicates that when he is targeted, opponents rarely gain many yards.

• Being ranked 22nd with a 71.3 overall grade in 2025 suggests either a slight dip in overall play (due to scheme, injuries or other factors) or that “overall grade” includes aspects beyond pure coverage (e.g., tackling, run-defense).

Interpretation

• His coverage ability remains elite — the advanced metrics strongly support that.

• The lower overall grade in 2025 may hint at small cracks (tackling, scheme fit, injuries) but not enough to diminish his status as a top-tier corner.

Injury History & Durability

Injuries can affect rankings, performance and long-term value — here’s what we know:

• In the 2024 season, Gardner was placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury.

• He played 15 games in 2024 (15 starts), finishing with 49 combined tackles, one interception, one sack and nine passes defended.

• According to a news update in 2025, he suffered a groin injury (limited in practice) but was expected to play.

• No major season-ending surgery or multi-season absence so far.

Implications

• The hamstring injury and groin limitation suggest soft-tissue concerns, which are common for cornerbacks reliant on change of direction and speed.

• Durability has so far been solid — he has started most eligible games since joining the league.

• Teams and analysts will monitor his tackling and run-support numbers, which sometimes lag his coverage metrics, as additional indicators of durability and all-around ability.

Net Worth & Contract Details

Let’s look at the financial side — a key interest for fans and analysts alike.

Contract

• In July 2025, the Jets signed Gardner to a 4-year, $120.4 million extension, including approximately $85.45 million guaranteed.

• That extension made him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history (average annual value ~$30.1 million).

• Prior to the extension he had earned on his rookie deal — total guarantees across deals push toward ~$118 million and up to ~$153.85 million potential maximum.

Net Worth

• As of September 2025, his estimated net worth is $20 million.

• Some reports (July 2025) estimated ~$15 million net worth prior to contract extension.

What this means

• Gardner is financially set for life if he maintains performance and avoids major injury.

• From a branding and endorsement standpoint, his financial value may grow with marketability and major successes.

Statistical Overview

Here are key career and recent season stats (to the best publicly available):

Career Summary

• Tackles: 201 (as of 2025 season data)

• Sacks: 1.0

• Pass deflections: 46

• Interceptions: 3 (since entering the league)

2024 Season Highlights

• 15 games, 15 starts.

• 49 combined tackles (36 solo), 1 interception, 1 sack, 9 passes defended.

• Allowed the fewest catches of any qualified cornerback in 2024.

Coverage Metrics

• League-lowest yards allowed per coverage snap (~0.60) since 2022.

• Forced 46 incompletions since 2022 (most among CBs).

Interpretation of the Stats

• Even with relatively modest interception totals, his value comes from limiting receptions and yards — a hallmark of elite coverage.

• His ability to keep targets in front of him and avoid giving up big plays is what makes him special.

Strengths, Weaknesses & Potential

Strengths

• Elite coverage skills: Advanced metrics and PFF grades show Gardner prevents big plays and rarely allows easy completions.

• Size and athleticism: At ~6’3.5″ with long arms, he matches up well physically against top receivers.

• Early success: Making First-Team All-Pro in his first two seasons shows immediate impact.

Areas for Improvement

• Turnovers: Despite his coverage dominance, his interception numbers are not extreme, which some critics point to as a deficiency.

• Tackling & run-support: Some fan commentary and analytics suggest Gardner could improve in making tackles and being more physical after the catch.

• Injury risk: Though not major so far, soft-tissue injuries (hamstring, groin) pose a recurring risk for a player whose game relies on quickness.

Future Potential

• Peak years: Entering his mid-20s, Gardner is entering his prime. If he continues at or near the elite level, he could become one of the top corners of his generation.

• Market value: With his contract, he’s locked in financially, but his play must match expectations to justify the investment.

• Legacy: A few more seasons of elite performance could push him into Hall of Fame conversation (for cornerbacks) down the road.

Injury & Availability Outlook

Availability is a key factor for ranking, value and team impact.

• The hamstring injury in 2024 forced a stint on injured reserve — teams will monitor if injuries repeat.

• The 2025 groin issue could be a one-off or early warning sign; close monitoring is prudent.

• For a shutdown corner, missing games or playing at less than 100% could reduce effectiveness, even if metrics remain good.

Net Worth, Contract & Financial Implications

We revisited this earlier but summarise key points:

• Estimated net worth: ~$20 million (as of Sept 2025)

• Historic contract: 4-year, $120.4 million extension with ~$85.45 million guaranteed.

• He is now among the highest-paid at his position, which means performance pressure is high.

Financial implications for his team and position

• For the team: Investing heavily in a cornerback signals belief in Gardner as a foundational piece of the defense.

• For the position: His contract resets the market for elite corners, increasing the value of that role in the NFL.

• For Gardner: The guarantees provide security, but his future earnings (endorsements, new contract) hinge on staying elite and healthy.

Why Sauce Gardner Matters for Fans, Analysts & Fantasy

• For fans: Watching a lockdown corner is thrilling — fewer completions, dramatic pass deflections, big-game impact.

• For analysts: His advanced metrics make him a “stud” corner; tracking his coverage grade, yards allowed, etc., offers predictive value.

• For fantasy and prop markets: While corners don’t score like offensive players, betting markets around defensive stats or team pass-defense may view Gardner as a key piece.

Looking Ahead: What to Watch

Over the next seasons, observers should monitor:

1. Coverage grade continuity – Will the ~90+ coverage grade hold or regress?

2. Turnover production – Can he increase his interception totals?

3. Tackling & run support – Will he improve in areas beyond pure coverage?

4. Durability – Will hamstring/groin issues persist or stay in the past?

5. Team performance – As the defense around him improves (or not), how does Gardner’s role evolve?

6. Contract life – How much value does the team extract from his peak years relative to cost?

Conclusion

Sauce Gardner is a generational talent at the cornerback position, combining elite size, athleticism and coverage ability. His advanced metrics and PFF grades affirm his top-tier status. With a historic contract and rising net worth, he is both a financial and on-field cornerstone. While there are areas for improvement (turnovers, tackling, durability), his trajectory is ascending and his prime is ahead.

From a ranking standpoint, he is among the best — likely CB1 for the NFL today. For fans, analysts and fantasy players, keeping an eye on his coverage metrics, availability and next-level production will be key.