Patriots draft Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez with the 17th overall pick

The New England Patriots have made their first choice within the 2023 NFL Draft. Following their earlier commerce down from the No. 14th total decide, they’ve now chosen Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez at No. 17.

One of many high cornerback prospects on this 12 months’s draft, Gonzalez, was a shock slider within the first spherical. Initially projected as a lock to return off the board within the high 10, he inexplicably stored falling — permitting the Patriots to select him up even following their trade-down with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Gonzalez was the highest participant on the Pats Pulpit Patriots Huge Board:

1. CB Christian Gonzalez (Oregon): Gonzalez ought to be a simple top-10 choice on this draft, making him a home-run choice if he by some means fell into New England’s vary. He’s a tall, lengthy nook who can also be a robust athlete that helps him blanket receivers outdoors. Gonzalez has all of the traits and upside to be a premiere cornerback within the NFL.

At 6-foot-1, 197 kilos and with excellent athletic traits, Gonzalez is well-suited for the Patriots’ defensive scheme. He initiatives as a Day 1 starter on the surface, permitting the crew to deal with one in every of its greatest pre-draft wants.