The New England Patriots appeared to immediately hit on their 2023 first-round draft pick when they took cornerback Christian Gonzalez at No. 17 overall.
The capable Oregon product wasted no time making his impact in his first month in the NFL. The Patriots rookie picked off Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on Sunday Night Football to highlight his campaign to win Defensive Rookie of the Month in September.
Gonzalez blossomed out of the gate before an injury chopped his rookie season down. The defensive back tore his labrum in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys. For all the momentum the Patriots saw from their rookie in September, that vanquished on the first day of October.
After surgery and rehab, Gonzalez gets set to respond with a vengeance in his sophomore season. His importance to the Patriots stretches miles for several reasons.
Gonzalez is surely one of the most overall talented players on New England’s roster. His individual play makes an immediate difference and more reps will allow for growth when he likely follow the top receiver of the opponent.
More importantly, the 2024 season centers around development over results as the Patriots completely start fresh. A new head coach in Jerod Mayo. A new leading personnel executive in Eliot Wolf. A new young quarterback in Drake Maye.
There’s excitement and potential there. It just likely won’t show in 2024. That’s what makes the return and production from Gonzalez that much more important.
With Maye and fellow rookie Ja’Lynn Polk joining veterans Hunter Henry and Rhamondre Stevenson, the Patriots will be a work in progress on offense. The New England defense paid a number of play-makers this offseason that stepped up a year ago such as Jabrill Peppers, Christian Barmore and Kyle Dugger.
Gonzalez can join them and make an impact to develop the culture on that side of the ball and keep the Patriots in games. Young stars have to develop to keep the rebuild on schedule. Gonzalez can play a major role in speeding up New England’s path to contention.
