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Sauce Gardner repeats as NFL's No. 1 cornerback in AP's Top 5 Rankings

Rob Maaddi

Associated Press

Tags: Jerry Jacobs, Sports, Ahmad Gardner, Devon Witherspoon, James Bradberry, Charvarius Ward, Daron Bland, Patrick Surtain, Darius Williams, Trent McDuffie, Patrick Peterson
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FILE - New York Jets defensive back Sauce Gardner (1) looks to defend during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. Gardner was voted the No. 1 cornerback at the midpoint of the season by The Associated Press.(AP Photo/Matt Patterson, File)
FILE - New York Jets' Sauce Gardner walks on the field during warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. Gardner was voted the No. 1 cornerback at the midpoint of the season by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
FILE - Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) tips the ball against Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during an NFL football game Sunday Aug. 10, 2023, in Denver. Surtain was voted one of the top five cornerbacks at the midpoint of the season by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Bart Young, File)
FILE - Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (2) breaks up a pass intended for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Braxton Berrios (0) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Philadelphia. Slay was voted one of the top five cornerbacks at the midpoint of the season by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz, File)
FILE - Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) plays defense during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Green Bay, Wis. Alexander was voted one of the top five cornerbacks at the midpoint of the season by The Associated Press.(AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps, File)
FILE - New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) plays during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Houston. Lattimore was voted one of the top five cornerbacks at the midpoint of the season by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman, File)

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

FILE - New York Jets defensive back Sauce Gardner (1) looks to defend during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. Gardner was voted the No. 1 cornerback at the midpoint of the season by The Associated Press.(AP Photo/Matt Patterson, File)

Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner remains No. 1.

The 2022 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and All-Pro has repeated as the NFL’s top cornerback in rankings by The Associated Press.

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A panel of nine AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at cornerback, making their selections based on current status through Week 8. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.

Gardner, the New York Jets’ star, got seven first-place votes, one more than he received in the preseason poll. Patrick Surtain II received the other two.

Thirteen cornerbacks received at least one vote, including DaRon Bland, Jerry Jacobs, James Bradberry, Patrick Peterson, Darius Williams, Trent McDuffie, Devon Witherspoon and Charvarius Ward.

1. SAUCE GARDNER, New York Jets

Gardner has been one of the NFL’s top shutdown cornerback since debuting last season. He’s allowed 19 catches for 155 yards and one touchdown this season while quarterbacks have only thrown his way 25 times.

2. PATRICK SURTAIN II, Denver Broncos

Surtain has followed up an All-Pro season with another solid season. He’s given up 25 catches for 350 yards and two TDs. Surtain’s defensive grade, per Pro Football Focus, is down to 71.2 from 86.8 last year. He was named on eight ballots.

3. DARIUS SLAY, Philadelphia Eagles

The man nicknamed “Big Play Slay” began the season with a 70-yard pick-6 against New England and had a red-zone interception against Miami two weeks ago. Slay already has allowed 36 catches, just 11 fewer than all of last season. He was named on six ballots.

4. JAIRE ALEXANDER, Green Bay Packers

Alexander stays in the same spot from the preseason poll. He’s been limited to four games because of injuries and has given up 13 catches for 183 yards and two scores.

5. MARSHON LATTIMORE, New Orleans Saints

The four-time Pro Bowl pick received two second-place votes and three total to claim the fifth spot. Lattimore has allowed just one touchdown and 25 catches for 302 yards.

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