The Patriots' last two first-round picks could prove to be staples of the organization for years to come.
That was obviously what New England envisioned when it used the third overall pick on quarterback Drake Maye back in April. The Patriots likely had similar hopes for Christian Gonzalez when they selected him 17th overall in 2023, but those expectations intensified when the cornerback stormed out of the gate in his rookie campaign.
Year 1 in Foxboro, Mass., was cut short for Gonzalez due to a shoulder injury, but his stock remains very high. Stephon Gilmore is all-in on Gonzalez, and the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year seemingly has been since the Oregon product was drafted.
"Obviously, I watched him when he got drafted, I knew the Patriots needed a corner, and I was happy they got him," Gilmore told ESPN's Mike Reiss. "I texted (cornerbacks coach) Mike Pellegrino and said, 'He's going to be good.'"
Gonzalez has drawn comparisons to Gilmore for his penchant for letting his standout play do the talking. Gilmore himself believes the comps were justified, partly due to the second-year pro's ability to "shut guys down" in man-to-man coverage.
It's obviously far too early to confidently declare Gonzalez will be the next Gilmore in New England. But it's clear the 22-year-old has both the skills and makeup to be the Patriots' latest elite corner.
