A Game: Patriots Pick Christian Gonzalez Gets Rave Reviews

Media outlets such as Sports Illustrated are giving the New England Patriots high grades for their selection of Oregon defensive back Christian Gonzalez.

The New England Patriots promising group of young defensive backs gained another weapon in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. With the No. 17 selection, the Patriots drafted Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez, widely-considered the best cornerback in the class. 

Gonzalez was all smiles to be headed to New England, saying he's excited to "learn from the best" in coach Bill Belichick.

The team at Sports Illustrated gives the selection an exemplary grade. Writes SI:

The Patriots have some young corners in their building led by Jonathan Jones, but the value of Gonzalez is too great to ignore. Projected as a top-10 pick in many corners, the Oregon product gives New England a potential shutdown corner in an AFC East loaded with elite receivers. With the Ducks, Gonzalez earned first-team Pac-12 status last season after two years with Colorado. His size is also a big plus at 6'1" and 197 pounds.

Gonzalez finished his 2022 season at Oregon with 35 tackles, four interceptions and seven passes-defensed. He also excelled on special teams, having played on Oregon’s punt-return unit and field-goal block coverages.

Gonzalez is the son of a semiprofessional basketball player and brother of two sisters who were track and field All-Americans. In high school, he was a talented receiver, returner and 200-meter sprinter.

New England traded the No. 14 overall pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 17th pick in the first round, while also collecting an addition fourth-round pick (selection 120). 

The draft continues Friday with the second and third rounds beginning at 6 p.m. ET. One of the biggest storylines, Kentucky quarterback Will Levis still remains on the board with the Tennessee Titans as the favorites to land the widely-expected to go in the first round.

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