Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner Taken in First Round in Latest Mock Draft

The junior is considered one of the best cornerbacks in the country.
Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner Taken in First Round in Latest Mock Draft
Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner Taken in First Round in Latest Mock Draft /

CINCINNATI — Bearcats cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner is considered one of the best cornerbacks in the country. 

Most evaluators believe he could end up being a first round pick. 

ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid is high on Gardner. In fact, he has the Bengals taking the junior cornerback with the 16th overall pick in his latest mock draft. 

"Gardner hasn't surrendered a touchdown over the entirety of his three-year career with the Bearcats, and with this pick he could stay near his college," Jordan Reid wrote. "At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, he's a lanky press-coverage corner who has the length to consistently cloud throwing windows and make it hard for receivers at the line. The Bengals' defense has been better this season, but it still ranks 24th in passing yards allowed per game (260.3)."

Plenty of NFL teams could use a corner like Gardner, including the Bengals. He has 25 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions for the Bearcats this season. 

If Gardner tests well during the NFL Combine and/or UC's Pro Day, then there's no reason why he won't hear is name called on day one of the 2022 NFL Draft. 

Check out Reid's complete mock draft here.

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Published
James Rapien
JAMES RAPIEN

James Rapien is the publisher of Bengals, Reds and Bearcats On SI. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati and has spent a decade covering Cincinnati sports. He's the author of Enter The Jungle, a book about the history of the Cincinnati Bengals. Prior to joining SI, Rapien was a host and producer at 700 WLW and ESPN 1530 in Cincinnati.