Breakout Oregon defender cracks top-10 in latest 2023 NFL mock draft

After 5 games, one of Oregon’s breakout defenders is being projected as a top-10 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Oregon Ducks have had some positive momentum when it comes to first-round NFL draft picks over the past several years. From Justin Herbert, to Penei Sewell, to Kayvon Thibodeaux this last spring, Oregon is on a 3-year streak of having a player taken in the top 10. Going into the 2022 season, there was once again some buzz growing in Eugene that a top-10 pick was starting to make himself known on the defense; linebacker Noah Sewell, the younger brother of Penei.

That prediction hasn’t quite come to fruition, but Oregon still has a defender that is now being projected as a top-10 pick in 2023.

Cornerback Christian Gonzalez is making a name for himself early on.

According to Pro Football Focus writer Mike Renner, Gonzalez is one of the best players in the 2023 draft, and will be the first CB taken off of the board. So far this year, Gonzalez — who transferred to the Ducks this season from Colorado — has 15 tackles and 1 interception, giving up 15 catches on 25 targets for 143 total yards. Those stats are inflated a bit by games against the Georgia Bulldogs and Washington State Cougars, but in his three best games, Gonzalez has held his receiver to 6 catches on 14 targets for 34 yards.

It’s clear that Gonzalez is among the best cornerbacks in the Pac-12 and now it’s starting to be apparent that he’s in the conversation for the best in the nation. Where would that land him in the 2023 NFL draft? Take a look at Renner’s mock: