Jets' Sauce Gardner on covering Tyreek Hill: 'This is what I dreamed about coming to the NFL'

Jets rookie cornerback Sauce Gardner is in the midst of a strong rookie season, and he's looking forward to his toughest test yet this Sunday. Gardner is set to cover Tyreek Hill and a vaunted Dolphins receiving corps, which he says is what came to the NFL to do.

"This is what I dreamed about coming to the NFL," Gardner told reporters Wednesday, adding, "I’ve got to go against guys like that in order to be recognized."

Gardner will surely see some of Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle as well, and the rookie is confident teammate D.J. Reed will also rise to the challenge of covering the pair. "It’s a great opportunity to show the world what we can do,” Gardner said Wednesday.

Sunday's matchup has an extra layer to it, as Hill chose the Dolphins over the Jets after the Chiefs approved both trade packages in March. Though Hill said he only chose the Dolphins because New York's state taxes were higher, the Jets would like to make him regret his decision.

Gardner was recently ranked by NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah as the top rookie in the league through four weeks. Jeremiah wrote that Gardner is "already establishing himself as one of the premier players at his position after only four games. 

Gardner held Bengals star wideout Ja'Marr Chase to 29 yards and a touchdown on six catches and ten targets in Week 3. If he delivers again on Sunday, Gardner could quickly become the Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite.