The versatile and soft-spoken (lol) defensive back from Florida had his breakout season for the Saints this year as he easily should have made the Pro Bowl. Gardner-Johnson managed to snag three interceptions on the year, up from just having one in 2020, and also recorded 2 sacks and 46 total tackles, all this despite playing in just 12 games as opposed to 15 in 2020. His season highlight was intercepting Tom Brady then smiling in the seven-time champion’s face on Sunday Night Football.
Gardner-Johnson’s versatility allowed him to line up at both corner and safety this year, something that makes him a very valuable addition to the Saints defense.