Ranking the Patriots Last 10 First-Round Picks, Worst to Best

4. Christian Gonzalez

With a larger sample size, Christian Gonzalez should be able to climb this list in the near future. The 17th overall pick in New England's 2023 draft, Gonzalez had a standout rookie season in which he earned Defensive Rookie of the Month in his only full month of play before a season-ending injury in Week 4.

Gonzalez was ranked as high as the fifth-best prospect heading into New England's most recent draft, but slid down the board on draft night, allowing the Patriots to snag a steal at 17. Gonzalez' breakout game came in Week 2 versus the Miami Dolphins, when the rookie impressed in his coverage of all-world receiver Tyreek Hill, leading the Fins' wideout to compliment Gonzalez postgame: "He’s real good, a very lengthy corner. He had some real good speed and technique about him."

The widespread consensus has been that Gonzalez will be a bonafide no. 1 corner on New England's defense in the years to come. He was relied on heavily when healthy in 2023, playing 100% of the team's defensive snaps in their first two games, and 98% in Week 3.

Gonzalez suffered both a torn labrum and a dislocated shoulder while attempting to make a tackle in the Patriots' blowout 38-3 loss in Dallas on Oct. 4. He was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 7, ending his rookie campaign prematurely.

With only 13 quarters of football, there is just simply not enough pro tape to anoint Gonzalez higher on this list - yet. If he is able to replicate his 2023 trajectory in 2024, that should change.