Panthers 2022 draft scouting report: Sauce Gardner brings alpha mindset

Sauce Gardner scouting report

• Height: 6-foot-3
• Weight: 190 pounds
• Arms: 33.5 inches
• 40-yard dash: 4.41 seconds
• 2021 PFF Grade: 87.1

There are some people out there who think Sauce Gardner just might be the best overall prospect in the entire draft, and for good reason. The cornerback has all the traits to be an elite lockdown presence from the moment he steps on an NFL field – something teams across the league always covet heavily.

Gardner possesses elite length, top speed, and the natural instincts required to play the cornerback position at a very high level. He’s also been a model of consistency during his tenure at Cincinnati.

The corner was a three-year starter and finished his 2021 year off as a consensus All-American and the AAC defensive player of the year. Gardner was a pivotal piece to a Cincinnati team that made an incredible run to the college football playoffs, which broke a big trend and should inspire smaller schools moving forward.

Gardner has been the true definition of a shutdown corner. In his last three seasons, he has reeled in three interceptions each year and has held opponents out of the end zone on more than 1,000 career coverage snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

He allowed just 13 catches for 117 yards throughout his final college campaign. Unreal numbers from Gardner, who brings attitude and an alpha mentality to match his incredible production.

The only bad thing you can say about him is that due to his slim frame Garnder tends to get pushed around by bigger players and may not be a great or willing tackler at the next level. You can tell when watching him that he’s not too thrilled about having to make a tackle and can shy away from the contact.

Even still, a premier shutdown corner is one of the main pillars of team building, and any organization should be thrilled to bring a player like Gardner in.