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Projecting the rookie statistics for Christian Gonzalez and the New England Patriots draft class of 2023
With the NFL draft over and rookie camps underway, it is a good time to evaluate the draft picks and see what kind of impacts the projected contributors will make.
Let’s take a look at the Patriots draft picks and project some stats for the team’s early draftees:
Christian Gonzalez is clearly making an early strong impression on his teammates.
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It was exciting to see the New England Patriots back on the football field for their first open OTAs practice last Wednesday, but it was also a bit disappointing to not see rookie first-round draft pick Christian Gonzalez out there.
There is plenty of intrigue surrounding the former Oregon cornerback, who has the potential to step into the fold and contribute right away for the Patriots. He might even be good enough to scale to the top of the depth chart and start as the No. 1 cornerback on the defense.
Patriots veteran linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley has had an opportunity to see Gonzalez up close on the practice field, and he’s clearly impressed by what the rookie has shown so far.
“Obviously, I’m going to say this about all of our rookies right now, they’re smart. All of them are smart, attention to detail. But one thing about [Gonzalez] is he’s kind of a technician in that way. No wasted movements and things like that,” said Bentley, via Patriots Press Pass.
The Patriots are expected to open their doors to media members for another practice session on Tuesday. So there’s still hope that fans could get a sneak peek at how the newest addition to the defense fits into the equation.
Gonzalez’s immediate emergence, along with rookies Keion White and Marte Mapu, could turn an already great Patriots defense into a juggernaut in 2023.
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Could Forbes emerge as a potential DROY candidate in 2023?
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No player in FBS college football history has more interceptions returned for touchdowns than former Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes. Forbes had 14 interceptions in three collegiate seasons, returning six for touchdowns.
The Washington Commanders were so enamored with Forbes that they selected him at No. 16 overall in the 2023 NFL draft and considered moving up to select Forbes.
Could Forbes parlay that collegiate success into a successful rookie season? And, if so, what’s his ceiling for 2023? If Forbes does produce as a rookie, could he be a contender for NFL defensive rookie of the Year?
CBS Sports recently named eight rookies who could win the NFL defensive rookie of the year award — Forbes was not on the list.
The cornerback selected below Forbes, Christian Gonzalez, came in at No. 1 on the list. Like any list, this is subjective, but how can you not watch Forbes’ college tape and see a player who could change games as a rookie?
Another cornerback drafted below Forbes — Joey Porter Jr. in the second round — came in at No. 3.
For a cornerback to win DROY, he needs interceptions. Porter had one interception in four college seasons. Gonzalez had four, all of which came in 2022.
Let us remind you again, Forbes had 14 in three seasons — playing in the SEC.
Whether Forbes makes the top eight of a subjective list or wins a rookie of the year award, the Commanders couldn’t be happier to have landed Forbes.
We’ll get our first look at the 2023 Patriots on the field on Wednesday.
The New England Patriots are set to open their doors to reporters for voluntary team organized activities on Wednesday.
So it’ll be the first time the team peels back the curtains on the entire 2023 team with both veterans and rookies on the field together. It will also be the team’s first practice back since they were stripped of two OTA sessions for a scheduling violation.
This isn’t training camp, but that doesn’t mean things won’t get competitive during the workouts. Even without pads, players are already vying for on-field opportunities down the line, while also looking to improve overall as a team.
After missing the playoffs last season, the Patriots have a lot of work ahead of them with little time to do it. Here are five things to watch for at Wednesday’s OTAs session:
A Christian of all trades? According to Christian Gonzalez’s former coach, he’s versatile enough to defend, play receiver and return punts.
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The New England Patriots selected Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez with the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. However, his versatility is something that shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Gonzalez was productive throughout his career with the Ducks and had a successful 2022 season. He tallied 51 tackles and four interceptions last year and was thought to be one of the top corners in the draft. He became the first Patriots corner selected in the first round of the draft since Devin McCourty in 2010. Now, reviews are continuing to pour in about his playing ability.
Phil Perry sat down with Oregon coach Dan Lanning on “The Next Pats Podcast” earlier this week. Lanning gave a crystal-clear assessment of what Gonzalez could bring to the table for New England.
“I honestly believe he could play wideout if somebody needed him to play wideout. He could be a returner as well if somebody needed that. We didn’t ask him to do that, but we probably should have at times,” said Lanning.
Gonzalez played wide receiver in high school for The Colony High School in Texas.
Versatility is something that the Patriots seem to have gravitated towards over the last couple of years. Gonzalez will be added to a New England secondary that has a bunch of young talent in Marcus Jones and Jack Jones, as well as veteran pieces like Jonathan Jones.
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From both a looks and abilities perspective, Christian Gonzalez looks like a “Madden” creation, according to his former coach.
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You don’t have to tell Oregon coach Dan Lanning there’s something special about Christian Gonzalez.
He watched the Colorado transfer scale to the top of the depth chart for the Ducks and quickly become one of the best defensive backs in the country, before ultimately being taken at No. 17 overall by the New England Patriots at the 2023 NFL draft.
When asked about the fit for Gonzalez with the Patriots, Lanning called his former defensive star the ideal “Madden” video game creation in overall look and abilities on the field.
“If you were building a player in Madden, you’d create them very similar to Christian, especially at the corner position,” said Lanning, when speaking with NBC Sports’ Phil Perry on “The Next Pats Podcast”. “He’s got length, he’s got size, he’s got speed. He carries that size very effortlessly, and he can obviously run. So those are skill sets you look for in a DB. He has great ball skills.”
Patriots fans are chomping at the bit to get another look at Gonzalez in action after the first video clip was released of him on the practice field a week ago.
As with any rookie, Gonzalez will have to grow into his role with the team at the next level. So all of the excitement should still come with tempered expectations. But it also isn’t a stretch to think he could make a major impact for the Patriots right out of the gates.
Like Gonzalez did at Oregon, he is clearly capable of scaling the depth chart in New England and beginning his journey towards becoming one of the best young corners in the NFL.
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This week’s mailbag delves into Mac Jones, Christian Gonzalez, the offensive line and the Patriots’ receivers room.
We’re back with another weekly mailbag and answering submitted questions through social media. Last week, we touched on Tom Brady’s return, Kendrick Bourne’s status, and the cornerback room as a whole.
This time around, the conversation turns to Patriots quarterback Mac Jones and rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez, along with the offensive line and receivers room.
If you’re interested in getting into next week’s mailbag, comment down below, or follow me on Twitter @CamSGarrity
Without further ado, let’s get into your questions for this week.
The Buccaneers were drafting either Jack Campbell or Calijah Kancey, and the Lions made their draft decision easier by taking Campbell
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By now, we all know that the Detroit Lions surprised plenty of people with the players they drafted in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. First, they traded down to the 12th overall pick for Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Then with the 18th overall pick, they stayed at that spot and selected Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell.
No doubt about it, there was plenty of shock value with each pick.
However, it’s starting to be revealed that the teams across the NFL were much higher on both Gibbs and Campbell. Over the last several days, teams have been revealing video from inside their war rooms from the opening night of the draft. Recently, there’s been one that has caught all of our attention.
Inside the #Bucs Draft Room: The team had two guys left that they wanted to Draft at 19 while the #Lions were picking at 18.
LB Jack Campbell, and their top priority, DT Calijah Kancey.
The group was nervous but got their guy. It also shows the Lions didn't overdraft… pic.twitter.com/OQ9GobO41h
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 17, 2023
In the video above, you can hear some of the words exchanged between Tampa Bay Buccaneers GM Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles. Bowles starts by saying “that Iowa linebacker is a Dan Campbell kinda guy.”
Afterward, Bowles follows up by saying “we had two guys that we really liked, with Kancey being one of them. We had a shot either way and when Detroit went the other way with a linebacker, we went with Kancey.”
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Jason Licht then followed Bowles in the interview by saying, “we had three players that we like in this order and they started getting selected. Now, Calijah was at the top of that list.”
Reading through the comments of both Licht and Bowles, it was evident that they really wanted Calijah Kancey. Obviously, the Buccaneers ended up with him and they seem thrilled about it. However, I could see a scenario where a team such as the Buccaneers could have valued players such as Jahmyr Gibbs, Christian Gonzalez or even Jack Campbell. Watching that video, it does feel like there was certainly some interest from the Buccaneers on Jack Campbell and what he could provide for the Bucs defense.
Looking back on it now, it does feel like the NFL was much higher on both Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell. Do you still like the Detroit Lions first round picks of the 2023 NFL Draft?
The first video clip of Patriots’ first-round draft pick Christian Gonzalez at OTAs has emerged, and it is absolutely incredible.
New England Patriots fans are getting their first sneak peek at rookie first-round draft pick Christian Gonzalez on the football field, and the excitement is already through the roof.
Fans are losing their minds after a short video clip emerged of the former Oregon standout cornerback taking defensive reps on the field. Some might brush it off as a mere overreaction towards a player that has yet to take his first NFL snap, but when watching the video and taking all things into consideration, the early excitement feels warranted.
There were people that had Gonzalez as the top cornerback on the entire 2023 NFL draft board. It was obviously for good reasons when seeing his size and the fluidity that he’s able to move with on the field. His transitions are so smooth that it almost looks like he’s floating in this video.
Gonzo on the grind.@chrisgonzo28 | #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/sMrjgCi1xi
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) May 17, 2023
Patriots fans are clearly taking note and commenting on social media on a player that could prove to be the steal of the draft at No. 17 overall.
Jonathan Jones is liking what he’s seeing from Christian Gonzalez and the other Patriots rookies.
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New England Patriots veteran cornerback Jonathan Jones was happy to see Christian Gonzalez’s name called off the board with the No. 17 overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft.
The Patriots had a clear need for a bigger outside corner with a high ceiling, and they arguably got the best one in this year’s draft. For Jones, it’s all about making the team good enough to win more games and get back to the playoffs.
When looking at the landscape in the AFC East, the Patriots are going to need all of the help they can get to accomplish that goal. The hope is that Gonzalez, along with the other new faces in the building, give them that boost.
“We need it,” Jones said on Tuesday, per NESN’s Zack Cox. “We need help. We need all the help that we can get. We’ve had a lot of transition at the position over the last few years.”
It isn’t just Gonzalez, either.
The Patriots also added Ameer Speed and Isaiah Bolden in the later rounds in hopes of improving their depth in the defensive backfield. Jones has his eye on all of the rookie defensive backs, and so far, he likes what he’s seeing from the newest roster additions.
“It’s Day 2 of them really being in,” said Jones. “They’ve come in, in the meetings, they’re trying to answer questions. They’re participating, and that’s a start. That’s a start. … All the guys have been in there. We’ve met them all. They’ve all just bought in — answering questions, asking questions and just trying to learn.”
Can the rookies learn fast and put it together on the football field consistently enough to make an immediate impact in the regular season?
The Patriots’ playoff hopes could depend on it.
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