Christian Gonzalez shocks followers with first spherical fall in 2023 NFL Draft

The first night time of the 2023 NFL Draft featured shock trades and surprising picks. However maybe the most important eyebrow-raiser from spherical one in Kansas Metropolis was former Oregon Geese cornerback Christian Gonzalez, thought to be a top-10 expertise who fell to seventeenth total.

The New England Patriots scooped up Gonzalez halfway via the primary spherical, including one other gifted defensive again to Invoice Belicheck‘s skillful protection.

How did Gonzalez drop to New England?

Lots of the draft’s prime prospects — together with C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson, Anthony Richardson, and first total decideBryce Younger — went as anticipated within the prime 5. However gamers like operating again Bijan Robinson and edge rusher Lukas Van Ness had been drafted sooner than anticipated, and Gonzalez slipped down the board.

Gonzalez started his faculty profession at Colorado however performed final season at Oregon. He established himself as a high-profile prospect attributable to his size, velocity, and ball-hawking instincts.

Gonzalez’s athletic lineage

Gonzalez was born in Carrollton, Texas, and is of Colombian heritage. He additionally comes from a household with deep roots in sports activities.

Gonzalez’s father, Hector, performed faculty basketball on the College of El Paso and even performed semi-professionally in Colombia. Christian’s sisters, Melissa and Samantha, had been All-Individuals in monitor and subject whereas representing Texas and Miami respectively.