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Defensive Cornerstone Named Patriots' Most Promising Building Block of 2024

A young defender was named New England's most promising building block going into 2024.

By Richard Louis

Aug 3, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon (9) waits with the defense for the start of a drill at training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon (9) waits with the defense for the start of a drill at training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports / Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
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The 2024 NFL season is officially two months away and the excitement continues to build with each passing day. There weren't more teams around the league that underwent more of an overturn than the New England Patriots.

The Pats have Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf running the team now while drafting Drake Maye to be the next franchise quarterback.

New England isn't expected to be super competitive this year but you never know what can happen on that football field.

Regardless of what the majority of people expect, there are some ballers on this team. Bleacher Report's David Kenyon recently wrote an article, naming every team's most promising building block entering 2024.

In that piece, he named cornerback Christian Gonzalez as that player for the New England Patriots.

"Unfortunately for Christian Gonzalez and the Patriots, a shoulder injury limited him to four appearances in his debut season. The good news? Gonzalez earned Defensive Rookie of the Month in September last year. Gonzalez is about as promising as an unproven player can be."

- David Kenyon

Even though Gonzalez only played in four games as a rookie, he made a great impression around the league.

Gonzalez, 6'2, is a long, rangy athletic playmaker in the secondary. The former Oregon standout can play both man and zone while being a willing tackler.

In 2023, he finished with 17 total tackles, three pass deflections, and one interception. He also finished with an 80.8 overall PFF grade.

Now with one year as a professional athlete under his belt, many think he can take another step. Sitting in meeting rooms and watching the game from the sideline is still extremely valuable.

Gonzalez just has to stay healthy in 2024 and his play on the field will do all the talking for him.

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