'He's Gonna Be Nice!' Jets' Gardner Praises Commanders' Daniels

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner knows a thing or two about being a top-five pick in a major media market. The hype, the expectations, the pressure – it’s been there, done that for the two-time All-Pro.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, though, is just getting started. As the second pick in the draft, Daniels shares the same obligation to make an impact from the jump. However, playing quarterback means being tasked with changing a franchise, a unique burden.

He got his first chance to show what he can do against hostile opponents this week when the Commanders joined the Jets for a rainy joint practice.

Washington’s offense didn’t do too much against the stout New York defense, but he managed to leave his mark on Gardner.

“He’s gonna be nice,” Gardner said regarding the rookie quarterback.

“He was like, ‘I would’ve been able to get that throw over everyone but you,’ and we was just joking with each other,” Gardner said, via SNY . “You know LSU, they talk a lot so when we first lined up … I was trolling him, he was smiling. I just told him, ‘You’re gonna be real good.’

“It was great to be able to line up against him. As a corner you want to go against a rookie quarterback, but he’s one of those guys, he’s developed, he was drafted that high. He had some great throws out there.”

Daniels will have additional opportunities to show the Washington faithful what he’s made of on Saturday when he starts the team’s preseason opener.

Related: Jets Alter Practice Schedule in Preparation for Preseason

In his final year at LSU, Daniels took home the Heisman Trophy, accounting for 3,812 passing yards and 1,134 rushing yards. He’ll look to bring that same explosiveness to the nation’s capital.

Given the excitement surrounding Daniels’ game and the competition between he and the five other quarterbacks drafted in Round 1, expect the spotlight to be centered on MetLife Stadium Saturday afternoon.