NFL Exec Raises ‘Interesting’ Question About Patriots’ Christian Gonzalez

Christian Gonzalez’s transition to the NFL with the New England Patriots won’t be easy.

The Patriots’ first-round cornerback presumably will play an important role in New England’s defense, perhaps lining up across from some of the league’s elite wide receivers right out of the gate. The challenge, aside from requiring impeccable physical skills, could require a great deal of mental fortitude. Growing pains are inevitable, and overcoming such oftentimes is what separates superstars from merely good players.

“Gonzalez moves so well, you buy into the potential even when the production isn’t quite there,” an NFL executive told Mike Sando in a piece published Friday on The Athletic. “He is going to DB heaven in New England. You would think Belichick would get the best from him. He is also going to play a ton of man-to-man, so that will be interesting. You are going to be on a true island. He has the physical talent to do it, but if you start getting beat, where does your head go? That will be interesting.”

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New England selected Gonzalez with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after trading back from No. 14. The choice, somewhat surprising given that many draft experts projected Gonzalez to be a top-10 pick, has drawn mostly positive reviews, especially since the Patriots seemingly hurt the New York Jets while moving back three spots and landing the Oregon cornerback. But it’s now on Gonzalez and New England’s coaching staff to ensure he reaches his potential, a trajectory that might occasionally require a short memory against really good wideouts.

The Patriots surely are hopeful “Gonzalez Island” becomes a nightmare destination for opponents. It would go a long way toward New England’s defense maintaining, or even improving upon, its standing from last season, when the unit performed well despite the Patriots’ offensive inconsistency.