The cornerback position remains one of the toughest and most valuable roles in the NFL, demanding elite athleticism, anticipation, and discipline in coverage. As the 2025 season unfolds, fans and analysts alike are debating one big question: who are the best cornerbacks in the NFL—and where does New York Jets star Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner rank among them?
What Are NFL CB Rankings?
“CB rankings” refer to how NFL cornerbacks are evaluated and ordered based on performance metrics, expert analysis, and advanced stats. These rankings often include:
- Pro Football Focus (PFF) Grades: Coverage efficiency, forced incompletions, and yards allowed per target.
- Traditional Stats: Interceptions, passes defended, tackles, and turnovers forced.
- Expert and Coach Evaluations: Rankings from NFL insiders, coaches, and scouts.
Because cornerbacks can completely change how an offense attacks, the rankings often focus on how well a player “locks down” one side of the field rather than just counting interceptions.
Sauce Gardner: Still Among the NFL’s Best
Since entering the league in 2022, Sauce Gardner has established himself as one of the most dominant cornerbacks in football. His blend of size, technique, and football IQ quickly earned him back-to-back First-Team All-Pro honors and a reputation as a true shutdown defender.
Career Highlights
- Rookie Season (2022): Gardner led the NFL in pass breakups and allowed one of the lowest completion rates among all defenders.
- 2023 Season: Cemented his spot as the league’s top CB, earning No. 1 overall ranking from CBS Sports and Pro Football Focus.
- 2024 Season: Although considered a “down year” by his own elite standards, Gardner still graded out above average with a 70.2 overall PFF score and 73.1 coverage grade, ranking 46th and 33rd respectively among 222 cornerbacks.
How Analysts Rank Sauce Gardner in 2025
Despite the minor dip in 2024, most experts still see Gardner as a top-tier talent:
- PFF’s 2025 Top 32 CBs: Gardner ranked #1 overall heading into the season.
- CBS Sports (2024 Rankings): Gardner held the No. 1 spot, edging out Patrick Surtain II and Derek Stingley Jr.
- SI.com (2025 Rankings): Gardner dropped slightly to No. 3, behind Surtain and Stingley.
- NFL Coaches Poll: Ranked 5th based on coach feedback, largely due to consistency concerns—but still among the elite.
In short, even after some regression, Gardner remains firmly entrenched in the top five cornerbacks in the league.
Key Stats for Sauce Gardner
- Coverage Grade (Career): 91.9 – highest among all NFL corners since 2022.
- Passer Rating Allowed: Under 65.0 across his first three seasons.
- All-Pro Selections: 2 (2022, 2023).
- Career Interceptions: 8+ and 40+ pass breakups through 2024.
Top NFL Cornerbacks in 2025 (Expert Consensus)
- Patrick Surtain II (Broncos) – Technical excellence and consistent shutdown play.
- Derek Stingley Jr. (Texans) – Surging into elite status after a breakout season.
- Sauce Gardner (Jets) – Still among the best, with elite coverage traits.
- Jaylon Johnson (Bears) – Reliable, physical, and quietly consistent.
- Trent McDuffie (Chiefs) – Versatile slot and boundary defender in a top defense.
Conclusion
While a few rivals have closed the gap, Sauce Gardner remains one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks, blending size, skill, and swagger. Whether ranked first or third, he’s the type of player opposing quarterbacks scheme around—proof that he’s still among the game’s elite.
As the 2025 season continues, Gardner’s challenge is to reclaim his undisputed No. 1 spot and remind the league why “Sauce Island” remains one of the hardest places to throw in football.