Jets' Gardner claims Defensive Rookie of the Year honors
New York Jets cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner claimed the 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year award on Thursday at the NFL Honors event.
Gardner was a finalist for the award along with Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and Seattle Seahawks corner Tariq Woolen.
| Player | 1st-place votes |
|---|---|
| Gardner | 46 |
| Hutchinson | 3 |
| Woolen | 1 |
Gardner finished his rookie campaign with 75 tackles, two interceptions, and a league-high 20 pass breakups. He allowed only a 62.7 passer rating on 86 targets in 2022 en route to being named a first-team All-Pro.
The 22-year-old joined the Jets as the fourth overall pick after enjoying a solid career at Cincinnati. He's the first Jet to win the award since defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson in 2013.
Gardner highlighted an impressive 2022 draft class by a Jets team that also selected wide receiver Garrett Wilson and defensive end Jermaine Johnson in the first round and second-round running back Breece Hall, among others.
Wilson was also named Offensive Rookie of the Year on Thursday, making the Jets the first team to have the OROY and DPOY in the same year since the New Orleans Saints in 2017 (Marshon Lattimore and Alvin Kamara).
Hutchinson - the second overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft - was the season's best first-year edge rusher, amassing 9.5 sacks and three interceptions. Meanwhile, Woolen became one of the year's biggest steals, leading the NFL with six interceptions as a rookie despite being drafted in the fifth round.
Gardner is the first corner to be named Defensive Rookie of the Year since Lattimore. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons won it last season.