Patriots Get Defensive: How's First-Round Cornerback Christian Gonzalez Fit in Foxboro?

Bill Belichick gets his shutdown cornerback as the New England Patriots trade down and still draft Oregon star Christian Gonzalez.

If you can't outscore 'em, stop 'em?

On a wild ride of a day in which they saw their long-shot chances at nabbing stars Lamar Jackson and DeAndre Hopkins slip away, the New England Patriots managed to nab a premier cornerback and leave Day 1 of the NFL Draft with the same number of picks with which they entered.

With multiple, desired targets falling into their lap at pick No. 14, Bill Belichick shrewdly traded down with the Pittsburgh Steelers. By simply moving from 14 to 17, the Patriots added a fourth-round pick in this draft. Meaning when Day 2 arrives Friday they will still have 11 picks to improve a roster that went 8-9 last season.

Oh, and did we mention they drafted what many experts feel is the best cornerback in the draft in Oregon's Christian Gonzalez?

After a nightmarish 2022, the Patriots have tweaked their dismal offense. Out is Matt Patricia, replaced by new coordinator Bill O'Brien. Gone is Jakobi Meyers, essentially replaced by JuJu Smith-Schuster. And after a rocky couple of months, quarterback Mac Jones seems to have received at least a temporary stay of execution.

New England could have further helped its offense, but decided to pass at No. 17 on available receivers Zay Flowers (Boston College) and Jordan Addison (USC). Instead, the Patriots beefed up a Top 10 defense that must stop a plethora of weapons in the daunting AFC East.

The Buffalo Bills feature Josh Allen throwing to Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. The Miami Dolphins have Tua Tagovailoa tossing the football to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. And, don't look now, the New York Jets now boast Aaron Rodgers and targets Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard. That group of receivers is big, physical and fast.

Enter, Gonzalez.

At 6-1 and 200 pounds and with a 40-inch vertical leap, he has the size and agility to play one-on-one against divisional receivers that the Pats had no answers for last season. Gonzalez had four interceptions and seven pass break-ups and started every game the last two seasons in Oregon.

Put Gonzalez on one side, Jonathan Jones on the other and a Jack Jones in the slot and you've got the makings of a secondary that can compete in the East.

The Patriots' offense may still be broken. But with the drafting of Gonzalez their defense took a big step toward getting fixed.

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