NFL fans react to Sauce Gardner being called "overrated" by league executive - "This is offseason nonsense," "Agree 100%"

Sauce Gardner is already one of the most accomplished cornerbacks in the NFL, and he is only turning 24 years old next month. In addition to being the 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year, he has been selected to the First-team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl twice in his first two seasons.

But is he really the best player at his position? In a list of top 10 cornerbacks that ESPN's Jeremy Fowler released on Thursday, the New York Jet was ranked third. So what happened and why was Sauce Gardner kept out of the top spot? Apparently, an anonymous evaluator called him "overrated."

"One of the most overrated players in the league. You could call holding on him every play."

Fans had mixed reactions online regarding the comment.

"That’s why (Seattle Seahawk) Riq Woolen is better," one said.

"I mean they’re not wrong," another added.

"Gotta be a (New England Patriots) fan," one jokingly remarked.

Nevertheless, the overall feedback was not bad for Sauce Gardner. A scouting director said:

"He doesn't get a lot of balls thrown at him. He locks down and has been that good where teams throw away and don't test him. That alone tells me something."

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Assessing the players placed ahead of Sauce Gardner in ESPN's NFL cornerback rankings

So if Sauce Gardner is not the best cornerback in the league, then who is? First, there is the person who sits directly above him at No. 2: the Cleveland Browns' Denzel Ward.

The three-time Pro Bowler has been instrumental in the team's turnaround, helping them make the playoffs twice. Meanwhile, Gardner's Jets have yet to make the postseason due to offensive struggles. Describing Ward, an evaluator had this to say:

"Fast, fluid, with upper-tier coverage skills and high football IQ. Can create ball production in man or zone but can match up against just about any No. 1 receiver due to his size and speed. And he has the elite movement skills to cover in the slot when asked."

As for the No. 1 player on the list, that honor belongs to Pat Surtain II. He has been one of the better players on a Broncos team that has languished since Peyton Manning retired in 2016, beginning a quarterback carousel. Surtain II became a First-team All-Pro in 2022 and a two-time Pro Bowler at the same time as Gardner.

A personnel director said this about Surtain II:

"Complete corner that can play in any coverage and has size, instincts, ball skills and will tackle."

Another Jet, DJ Reed, also garnered votes but ultimately did not make either the Top 10 or the honorable mentions.