Philadelphia Eagles way-too-early first-round 2022 mock draft

Ahmad Gardner could be the CB1 of the Philadelphia Eagles’ future.

Philly addresses the secondary again by selecting Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner who has been on ITI’s radar since the end of the 2020 season. While the cornerback play for the Eagles has been impressive so far in 2021, they likely can’t keep this trio together forever.

Darius Slay is still playing at an extremely high level, Steven Nelson has looked like his 2018-19 self after a down year in 2020, and Avonte Maddox has been much more comfortable in the slot (where he belongs).

Nelson and Maddox could hit free agency after this year barring extensions and Slay will hit the market in 2024. The Birds need a future number one option and Gardner gives them security. He’ll have time to grow into the number one role over time while playing behind Slay and company, or he could get some valuable experience early playing opposite of Slay.

At this point, quarterbacks know not to throw at Gardner’s side. Some have still made the mistake of doing so which is why he has two interceptions through six games.

He’s been as integral to the Bearcats’ success as guys like Alec Pierce, Myjai Sanders, Desmond Ridder, and Jerome Ford. It’s safe to say he has been one of the best shadow corners in the game since his true freshman year.

Philadelphia won’t have to worry about scheme fit. He can do almost anything that is asked of him in coverage whether that be press man, off-man, bail technique, or Cover 2 sink.

The Draft Network points out that one of Gardner’s weaknesses is that he can be a bit grabby at times and get too many penalties. Last year, ITI was very high on Jaycee Horn who’s only weakness was overaggressiveness. As Ben Fennell told us last year in regards to Horn, you’d rather tone down the aggressiveness than have to coach it up.