NFL Draft 2022: 5 best picks of the first round

TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 5: Defensive End Jermaine Johnson II #11 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 5, 2021 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Fighting Irish defeated the Seminoles 41 to 38 OT. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

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Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner after being selected as the fourth overall pick to the New York Jets during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Sauce Gardner to Jets at No. 4

The Jets had plenty of quality options available to them at No. 4 but they took the right guy at the right position with Gardner. Their defense desperately needs to build an identity and adding a confident playmaker at corner is a big step in the right direction for New York.

Derrick Stingley may have gone one pick before Gardner but there’s a cogent argument to be made that the Jets got the No. 1 cornerback. Gardner’s length and ball skills make him a great fit for what New York wants to do on defense.

Any questions about Gardner’s ability to transition from Cincinnati to the NFL should be dismissed. He’s got great size and athleticism. It’s hard to imagine him being anything other than a top-flight starter for years to come.

New York still needs to add a lot of talent before the rest of their defense can live up to Gardner’s talents but they made the right pick at No. 4. It may have been a relatively easy decision for the team’s brain trust but they deserve credit for grabbing a premium player at a premium position with their highest draft choice.

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