The New England Patriots have made some bold moves in the 2023 NFL Draft. The team selected Christian Gonzalez, a promising cornerback out of Oregon, with the 17th overall pick in the first round. While some experts have labeled Gonzalez as the best cornerback in his draft class, the Patriots also traded down from their original No. 14 pick in a move that shocked many fans.
Despite this, the Patriots seem to be optimistic about Gonzalez’s potential impact on their defense. He has signed a lucrative four-year contract, with a fifth-year club option, that is projected to be worth $15.7 million, with an $8.4 million signing bonus (Oregon Live).
The Patriots’ decision to draft Gonzalez comes after they made headlines by not trading their starting quarterback Mac Jones during the first round. While some experts thought that the Patriots might consider trading Jones, the team ultimately decided to keep him on board (Sports Illustrated).
Looking ahead, the Patriots have some needs that they will likely address in rounds two through seven of the draft (Patriots Wire). As Patriots fans wait and see how the team fares in the rest of the draft, they can take comfort in the fact that Gonzalez’s arrival will likely make the defense stronger and more competitive.
