Washington Commanders have formal meeting with Christian Gonzalez, per report

The Washington Commanders met with former Oregon Ducks cornerback Christian Gonzalez at the NFL Combine Thursday evening, per Commanders reporter Ryan Fowler.

Washington’s biggest need in the 2023 NFL Draft is at cornerback after sending William Jackson III away to the Pittsburgh Steelers before the NFL trade deadline this past season. Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste are the expected starters for the Commanders as of right now, but many believe Gonzalez has the potential to be the team’s next top defensive back.

Gonzalez ranks as the No. 2 CB on ESPN’s big board ahead of the NFL Draft behind Penn State‘s Joey Porter Jr. Up to five corners are expected to be drafted during the first round of next month’s draft, and Gonzalez is almost guaranteed to hear his name called on the first day. Washington is hoping he’ll still be available for its selection with the 16th overall pick.

In college, Gonzalez played for Colorado for his freshman and sophomore seasons before his transfer to Oregon in 2022. Through three college seasons, he finished with 128 total tackles, 100 solo tackles, six tackles for loss, four interceptions and 17 pass deflections.

As a member of the Class of 2020, Gonzalez was a four-star recruit out of The Colony (Texas) High, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 43 overall recruit in the state, the No. 27 safety in the class and the No. 311 overall recruit in the class.

Whether he’ll still be on the board by the 16th pick or not, Gonzalez will find out his football fate when the 2023 NFL Draft gets underway on April 27 in Kansas City, Missouri. Round 1 is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET and will air all weekend long on ESPN and the NFL Network.