Imagine the ideal Bill Belichick draft.
The Patriots see a crowded board of prospects with similar grades, trade back and add an extra pick. Then, a player at a position of need, perhaps a top-10 talent, falls into their lap. And along the way, Belichick gets to stick it to an old rival.
Check, check and check.
The Patriots selected Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez with the 17th overall pick in Thursday’s first round. Gonzalez entered the night as a consensus top-10 talent, per most media draft experts. The 6-foot-1, 199-pounder is viewed as having Pro Bowl potential and could become a Week 1 starter for the Patriots, who have a major need at corner.
Last season, Gonzalez was named to the All-Pac-12 first team after snatching four interceptions, breaking up 11 passes and blocking a field goal. At the NFL Combine, Gonzalez tested as one of the best athletes in the entire class. He clocked a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash, leapt 41.5 inches in the vertical jump and cranked out 14 bench press reps at 225 pounds.
Gonzalez flew to New England for a top-30 visit during the draft process and met with the Patriots at the combine, when he told reporters he’d be glad to play for Belichick.
“That’s a legend right there,” Gonzalez said. “I’d love to play for him.”
He reiterated those feelings Thursday night.
“I’m very excited to play under him,” Gonzalez said. “You can’t really get a better coach than that. I’m excited to learn.”
Scouts describe Gonzalez as exceptionally fast, fluid in his movements and possessing superb acceleration. He showed improved ball skills and tackling last season, two critical traits for Patriots cornerbacks. Gonzalez has all the tools to execute the Pats’ preferred man-to-man style of defense, but has succeeded in all types of coverages.
Asked to describe his game, Gonzalez said: “Somebody that’s versatile, fast, long, tall, that can move around. Somebody that loves to learn and just wants to learn all the nuances of the defense and how they all build together.”
In college, he overlapped with new Pats offensive line coach Adrian Klemm, who served as Oregon’s associate head coach last year.
“I definitely have a relationship with him. We would always talk at practice,” Gonzalez said of Klemm. “I’m excited to be back with him.”
Gonzalez, who will turn 21 in June, looked up to former Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore as a young player. He said he’s aware of the franchise’s history of fielding No. 1 corners, including Gilmore, Darrelle Revis and Ty Law. He now joins Jonathan Jones, Jack Jones, Marcus Jones and Shaun Wade in the team’s cornerbacks room.
Gonzalez is also looking forward to defending the elite receivers across the AFC East.
“I’m excited for that competition,” he said.
Gonzalez transferred to Oregon last year after spending his freshman and sophomore seasons at Colorado. He started all 30 of his collegiate games and played extensively on special teams.
In selecting Gonzalez, the Patriots passed up Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Boston College wideout Zay Flowers and Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks, among others.
Earlier in the night, the Patriots traded their initial pick, at 14th overall, to Pittsburgh for No. 17 and a fourth-rounder at 120th overall. At No. 14, the Steelers selected Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones, one pick ahead of the Jets, who needed offensive line help. New York followed with the first major reach of the draft, taking Iowa State edge defender Will McDonald IV at 15th, and the Commanders added Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes with the No. 16 pick.
As of the 26th overall pick Thursday night, the Patriots were scheduled to make their next selections at 46th overall in the second round and No. 76 in the third round. They have 11 remaining picks.
