3 reasons the Vikings must draft CB Sauce Gardner in 2022
By Dean Jones
Gardner is an elite man cover cornerback
There aren’t many holes in Sauce Gardner’s game. He is one of the most polished cornerbacks entering the league this year, and although players at the position do tend to struggle against bigger wide receivers at the next level right out of the gate, the Cincinnati product has the potential to break the mold.
One area where Gardner thrives is in man coverage. His size and athleticism really catch the eye and bully smaller wideouts, which are matched by fluid motion and exceptional motor to further enhance his stock.
The Bearcats were more than comfortable leaving Gardner on an island to deal with the opposition’s best receiving option. Something he did exceptionally well and didn’t even give up one touchdown throughout his college career.
Things won’t be as easy in the NFL, obviously. Gardner will be a target due to his lack of professional experience, but the outstanding ball skills and vision he brings to the table mean that quarterbacks could pay for targeting him in no time at all.
The Minnesota Vikings have been craving for someone like this. It’s something they haven’t really had since Xavier Rhodes was at the peak of his powers and Gardner represents an instant problem-solver that can completely shift the dynamic within defensive coordinator Ed Donatell’s secondary.