They are separated by three drafts and three years, both top-five NFL draft picks who have risen to the top of their profession at their respective positions. 

Cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams have yet to experience NFL success in terms of wins and losses, but together, they are planning to change that this year. 

Planning to make the Jets, along with future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, one of the NFL’s top teams. 

“He wants to be the best,” Gardner said of Williams. “I’m not going to mention names. You got those guys, people from the outside looking in [who] might say Quinnen is No. 4 [at this position] because of this, because of these people, what they have done.

“Quinnen’s like ‘F’ that. He wants to be that guy. That’s who I am. I want to be that guy as well.” 

Both players have mentioned the Super Bowl as their ultimate motivation, as their goal for this coming season.

They are using one another as inspiration. 

The two rising stars were a key part of the Jets defense’s 180-degree turn last season, going from last in the NFL in points allowed (29.7) in 2021 to fourth (19.6) in 2002.

They were both named first-team All-Pro and selected to the Pro Bowl.

Gardner was an immediate star, the first rookie cornerback to be named as a first-team All-Pro since Ronnie Lott in 1981.

The league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, Gardner yielded a microscopic 44.9 passer rating and produced more interceptions (two) than touchdowns allowed (one). 

Williams had a breakout year in his third NFL season, second among defensive tackles in sacks and tied for first in quarterback hits with 28.

His quarterback pressures (52) and pressure rate (12.9 percent) were career bests. 

Perhaps most impressive about the duo is how they have so far handled those spectacular seasons.

Gardner, 22, followed through on a promise to his mother, Alisa, to finish off his college degree in interdisciplinary studies at the University of Cincinnati.

Williams, in turn, wants to gain his degree from Alabama after hearing about Gardner walking across the stage to gain his diploma.

The big lineman has said and done all the right things since getting his new four-year, $96 million contract, looking every bit like the dominant player he was last season so far in training camp. 

Neither player seems content.

If anything, last year only has provided further motivation. 

“For them, it’s mindset, I’ve told you guys a million times, internally driven players have no ceiling,” coach Robert Saleh said. “They just keep going and going. They’re not looking back. They’re not satisfied with being an inch in front of the guy behind them. 

“They want to be in front of everybody by a mile. They’re trying to [personal record] every single day. That’s what those two guys are. They’re elite competitors. They really don’t compare themselves to anybody. They just work.” 

Gardner was particularly touched by the 25-year-old Williams’ kind words about his academic achievement, because of how much Williams has meant to him since joining the Jets despite playing a different position.

In talking about ways they can improve this year, both players mentioned communication and team-wide success, not personal accolades.

Williams is driven to be someone who holds his teammates accountable.

Gardner echoed that sentiment.

He doesn’t just want to be more vocal this year — he has to be. 

“I know it’s Year 2, but I got to be one of those leaders that brings people with [them],” Gardner said. “I know naturally, a lot of people will gravitate towards me, but I got to make sure I’m bringing people with me and not being one of those leaders, where it’s like, ‘We listen to him, because we have to.’

“I got to be one of those people that people want to listen to, that people want to [follow].” 

The Jets waived quarterback Chris Streveler, released defensive lineman Isaiah Mack and signed defensive lineman Bruce Hector on Monday.

Streveler, a standout performer for the Jets last summer, suffered a thumb injury in the Hall of Fame game Thursday.

Streveler was battling Tim Boyle to be the team’s third-string quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers and Zach Wilson.