Draft Cornerback Comparisons: Gardner vs. Booth, Jr.
Currently, there are several cornerbacks slotted to be picked in the first round. Many of those potential mock drafts and rankings have Derek Stingley Jr., Ahmad Gardner, and Andrew Booth Jr. as 3 of the top corners. Gardner and Booth are the two most commonly paired with the Vikings in the first round of the draft.
Under Mike Zimmer, the Vikings often drafted CBs early. While Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman were both let go (Spielman was just replaced with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah), it seems probable that the trend of selecting a corner could continue. Only one of the corners currently on the roster is definitely returning and that is 2nd-year player, Cameron Dantzler. Veterans Patrick Peterson and Mackenzie Alexander are both free agents and Bashaud Breeland was previously released. Kris Boyd and Harrison Hand will need to fight for their roster spots.
Ahmad Gardner
Ahmad Gardner, or “Sauce” as he has been dubbed, is a 6’3” 200 lb junior at the University of Cincinnati. Gardner had a meteoric rise this past season and many consider him the most gifted CB in the 2022 draft. He was named the AAC Defensive Player of the year in 2021. If he is selected in the first round of the draft (it is hard to imagine he won’t be) he will be Cincy’s first 1st-round pick since 1971 with Bob Bell.
Gardner has been a bit of a late bloomer. He played both ways, WR and CB, at his high school in Detroit, MI. He did not attract the kind of recruiting attention from big-name schools. It seems that Cincy was the right fit at the right time; his athleticism has shown his junior year. Gardner never allowed a touchdown in coverage in more than 1,000 snaps. No receiver lined up against him racked up more than a 20 yard gain. He had 35 tackles, 5 for a loss, 3 sacks, 3 interceptions, 4 pass breakups, and a forced fumble during the 2021 season.
Fit Assessment
Gardner is a smart player who can play press-man or zone coverage. He has excellent ball skills and is a serious competitor. His long arms and range ensure he traps receivers and makes tackles. There were early concerns about size with Gardner but he has worked hard to put weight on his frame. The biggest concern about Gardner is that he can be a bit too physical, this could get him in penalty trouble. However, this physicality can be coached into an asset. This is something he has been working on and has continued to improve. It is clear that he has potential, and given the right circumstances and mentoring he has star potential.
Andrew Booth Jr.
Andrew Booth Jr. is a 6’0” 200 lb junior at Clemson University. Booth was a 5-star prospect out of his Georgia high school. He joined a talent-heavy Clemson defense and quickly showed his star potential. He finished his junior year as a First Team All-ACC selection with 39 tackles, 3 for a loss, 5 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions in 11 games.
Fit Assessment
Booth is also long and rangy; he possesses a sixth sense for ball location that makes him a bit of a “ball hawk.” He shows up on every snap – aggressive, strong, and attacking blockers. He has above-average speed but can be a bit slow to start. Booth instinctively mirrors routes and allows zero leverage – inside or outside. He is a smart player who processes routes quickly and reacts even faster. There are some concerns about his consistency and history of injuries.
Comparison
Both Gardner and Booth bring exciting energy and passion that should complement Dantzler. Booth edges Gardner out just slightly with speed but both run well downhill. Gardner plays zone defense slightly better than Booth. Booth needs to work a bit on his strength to be able to keep up with WRs at the pro level. Gardner needs to work on his hands and not amassing penalties. Both young men have excellent range, with long arms that help them trap receivers. Gardner was overlooked in the high school recruiting process and this seems to make him a bit hungrier. Both are intelligent, hard-working players who should easily go in the first round. Either player would be an exciting addition to the Viking defense with Gardner bringing just a little more “Sauce.”
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