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Christian Gonzalez earns spot on NFL All-Rookie Team projection

Jarrid Denneyby:Jarrid Denney•06/28/23•

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(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Former Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez is generating no shortage of buzz ahead of his debut NFL season.

After the New England Patriots selected Gonzalez with the 17th overall pick in April’s 2023 NFL Draft, the rookie cornerback has dazzled during OTA’s and appears poised to make an immediate impact.

Earlier this week, NFL.com released its preseason Defensive All-Rookie team and featured Gonzalez as one of two cornerbacks. Here’s the rundown on Gonzalez from NFL.com’s Chad Reuter.

“Gonzalez will likely give up some plays in the Patriots’ man-heavy scheme, but I suspect he’ll also grab multiple interceptions as a rookie. His combination of size (6-2, 201 pounds), athleticism and ball skills will make teams wonder why they passed on him — and why they’re passing toward him.”

Gonzalez was the lone former Pac-12 player to nab a spot on NFL.com’s offensive and defensive All-Rookie teams.

More on Christian Gonzalez

In his lone season with the Ducks, Gonzalez established himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the nation.

In 12 games during the 2022 campaign, Gonzalez recorded 50 tackles, including 35 solo stops, and 1.0 tackles for loss. He hauled in four interceptions and broke up 11 passes.

Pro Football Focus issued him a season grade of 81.0 overall — the second-best among Oregon defensive players and the 10th-best among Pac-12 defenders who play regularly.

“The sky’s the limit for Christian. Whatever team gets Christian, I mean, they’re hitting a home run,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said on April 22. “He’s one of the best corners I’ve ever been around and a better human. I’m excited for every one of our guys that have an opportunity for this draft. There’s gonna be a lot of great Ducks that get an opportunity to make NFL teams better and Christian, is certainly an example of that. Humble and hungry and I’m excited to see where he ends up.”

At the NFL Combine in March, Gonzalez earned a 92 overall score from Next Gen Stats, which was the highest among this year’s cornerback class.

“I think it’s finally coming to light,” Gonzalez said following Oregon’s March 15 pro day. “I’ve always known I’m a good player and a player that can play at the next level. It’s good to finally see it but there’s still that chip on my shoulder there’s always something I got to prove and get better with.”

A former 4-star recruit, Gonzalez was the No. 310 overall prospect and the No. 27 player at his position in the class of 2020, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

He committed to Colorado out of high school and spent his first two seasons in Boulder before opting to transfer to Oregon for his third season.

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