Jets rookies provide silver lining in disappointing opener

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jets first-round rookies provide silver lining in disappointing opener

By Nathaniel Griffee | Last updated 9/12/22

The Jets' three first-round draft picks performed well in the team's 24-9 loss in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens.

Linebacker Jermaine Johnson, the 26th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, burst onto the scene early, getting a half-sack on the elusive Lamar Jackson. That Johnson played well after a relatively quiet training camp should excite Jets fans.

Jermaine Johnson's first career sack!

(via @nyjets) pic.twitter.com/rnW0uBFnBP
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) September 11, 2022

Wide receiver Garrett Wilson, the 10th overall pick, popped open a few times, particularly on a fantastic near-third-down conversion in which he juked three Ravens defenders. He finished with four receptions for 52 yards. Wilson surprisingly played only 41 of 84 total offensive snaps.

still sick tho @GarrettWilson_V #BALvsNYJ on CBS pic.twitter.com/b0oe4yhtLa
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 11, 2022

Cornerback "Sauce" Gardner, the fourth overall pick, was a stud. Building on his strong preseason, Gardner allowed only one catch for eight yards over 34 coverage snaps. He was targeted twice.

Gardner often covered the Ravens' biggest receiving threats, including tight end Mark Andrews, who had five catches for 52 yards. One of Gardner's highlight plays came on this potential TD pass to Andrews: