It’s always tough to know how an NFL draft is going to go until names start coming off the board. That was the case for the New England Patriots on Thursday night after trading down to No. 17 and still coming away with Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
Leading up to the 2023 NFL draft, Gonzalez was perceived by many to be a top-10 pick. So it’s understandable why Patriots fans were a bit perturbed when it was initially announced that the team was trading down with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Yet, somehow, Gonzalez was still on the board when the Patriots came back up, and Belichick made the selection to solidify his defensive backfield.
Along with picking up Gonzalez, the Patriots also got another fourth-round pick from the Steelers. That’s quite the haul for Belichick and company in the first round.
Here’s what people were saying about the selection on Twitter.
New Patriots O-line coach Adrian Klemm got an up-close look at Christian Gonzalez last season as an Oregon assistant. Wasn’t his position coach, but have to imagine Klemm gave NE a positive review.
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) April 28, 2023
I have absolutely no idea how Christian Gonzalez may it all the way to pick 17 but that is an absolute steal for the Patriots. Wow.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 28, 2023
The Patriots traded down to No. 17 and still got Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez, the 5th-ranked player on @dpbrugler‘s big board. Huge value.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) April 28, 2023
Oregon DB Christian Gonzalez is headed to New England at No. 17
Patriots just upgraded their secondary 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Z742VRrYRE
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 28, 2023
Christian Gonzalez has been taken by the #Patriots. This kid is smooth.
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) April 28, 2023
Patriots get a steal in Christian Gonzalez. Would’ve been a logical trade-up candidate from No. 14. Get him at No. 17 instead. Home run. https://t.co/zVRVRS0W12
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) April 28, 2023
Christian Gonzalez to the #Patriots at No. 17, well after he was projected to go. Perhaps we’ll revisit this in the coming years wondering how he got to this point.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 28, 2023
Christian Gonzalez was as high as #3 in some mocks, good pick by @Patriots
— Jeff Hedberg (@jjhedberg) April 28, 2023
Happy Patriots…
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