New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner entered the NFL and took the league by storm.
He was the first cornerback in league history to be named a first-team All-Pro in each of his first two seasons in the league. Every organization in football would love to have the kind of cover corner that Gardner has been since coming to the NFL in 2022.
Gardner's run as the top corner in the league may be coming to a close, though. And Philadelphia Eagles rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell may be on the path to matching the former Cincinnati star.
Mitchell has been superb in coverage to start his career since the Eagles made him their first-round selection in April's draft. He's gone up against top receivers like Mike Evans, CeeDee Lamb, and Ja'Marr Chase through the first 10 games of his career.
It was against Terry McLaurin on Thursday night, though, that showed Mitchell's All-Pro potential.
In a game that the Eagles would win 26-18, McLaurin went up against Mitchell for 20 snaps throughout the contest. McLaurin only caught a single catch on the night while Washington's offense struggled to move the ball effectively.
Mitchell has gone up against some of the top wideouts in the NFL in his rookie season. To this point in single coverage, Mitchell has dominated and kept almost all of the receivers out of the end zone.
Like Gardner, Mitchell doesn't have an interception to his name this season. But his coverage grades are off the charts and clearly among the best in the league.
It's why analysts think Gardner's time as the lone rookie since Ronnie Lott to be an All-Pro may be coming to a close in the coming weeks.
