PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He's widely regarded as, if not the top, among the top three corners available in the NFL Draft and visiting the Steelers today. Oregon's Christian Gonzalez is one of four on the South Side Thursday.
Gonzalez is coming off a season with four interceptions, his only year with the Ducks after transferring following two seasons at Colorado. He also defended seven passes with 50 tackles (35 solo) and a blocked kick. The measurables are off-the-charts, 6'2", 200 pounds, 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, 41.5" vertical jump and 11'1" broad jump.
He also comes from a very athletic family-his dad was a college basketball player and two sisters were All-American track stars.
According to NFL.com
"Explosive outside cornerback possessing a rare blend of physical and athletic traits. Gonzalez plays with fluid hips and blazing top-end speed, which should help him match against top-end targets in the future. He can rough up the release or use mirror-and-match footwork from press-man coverage and he has all the tools to become a highly capable route shadow. His technique will get away from him at times and he doesn't play with the level of instincts or ball skills that should make heavy ball production automatic. His testing numbers could send his draft stock skyrocketing, but the ingredients are already present to become a feared CB1 if he plays to his gifts."
Few mock drafts have Gonzalez falling out of the top 10.
He wasn't the only corner visiting, South Carolina's Darius Rush also talking with the Steelers Thursday. He is also 6'2", 198 pounds who ran an unofficial 4.36, 40-yard dash. Rush started his career as a receiver, becoming a starting corner in 2021. The South Carolina native had a pair of interceptions and seven pass breakups last season. He's projected at the end of the second day or early in the fourth round. Rush was also a former three-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Georgia Tech defensive end Keion White was an Old Dominion transfer who turned into a productive ACC player. He led GT with 14 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 2022. Named the ACC Defensive Player of the Week after three sacks and four tackles for loss in their upset of North Carolina. He is 6'5", 285 pounds and is likely a player who would need a couple of years to develop.
The final visitor is a later-round pick guard from TCU. 6'3", 332-pound Steve Avila had 28 bench press reps at 225 pounds. He has played across the interior of the line, he has starts at right and left guard and also at center.
Avila will be drafted in the second or third round and could be a starter immediately. Obviously as it stands right now, guard might be the deepest position on the Steelers roster.
