Sauce Gardner impressed with what he’s seen so far from Jets rookie

If New York Jets All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner is paying a young CB a compliment, that player must be doing something right.

That’s the case with Gardner’s teammate, rookie Qwan'tez Stiggers — a 2024 fifth-round pick of the Jets — who Gardner praised in a recent interview with the Jets’ official website.

“He is very talented and willing to learn, just like I was when I first came into the league,” Gardner said . “I see myself in him a little bit, in terms of the mental aspect, being vocal always, not being afraid to speak up, not being afraid of asking the older guys, the veterans, for advice, help on the playbook and life or whatever it is.”

Stiggers made quite an impression during OTAs and mandatory minicamp. He held his own in coverage drills and made multiple interceptions. His knack for being around the ball is presumably what caught the Jets’ eye.

He logged five interceptions and recorded 53 tackles in 2023 with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, where he was named a CFL East All-Star and won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie Award.

The 22-year-old CB became the first player drafted directly from the CFL since 1999 when the Miami Dolphins picked defensive tackle Jermaine Haley in Round 7.

And as far as mentors go, Stiggers could do a lot worse than Gardner, a two-time first-team All-Pro and former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, who has allowed a completion percentage against of just 50 and surrendered only two touchdowns in coverage in two seasons, per Pro Football Focus .