Former Oregon Ducks’ cornerback Christian Gonzalez was selected No. 17 overall by the New England Patriots, and most believe the pick was an absolute steal.
Over the last 20 seasons, the players picked in that same exact slot have had a few Pro Bowl appearances and even a few Super Bowls. But as with all spots, No. 17 has been hit-and-miss for NFL teams in the middle of the first round of the draft.
Another former Duck, Arik Armstead, was also picked No, 17 overall and he’s had a great career for the San Francisco 49ers so far. He might be the best player at that spot in recent seasons, but even the “misses” have been relatively successful for their respective organizations.
Hopefully, Gonzalez can prove the “experts” right and have a great career for Bill Belichick’s Patriot team, who are looking for their first Super Bowl after Tom Brady.
Here’s a look at the hits and misses at No. 17 over the past couple of decades.