The early returns suggest the Patriots made out pretty well in the first round of the draft.
After trading back from pick No. 14, the Patriots landed Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez at 17. The position was one of major need for the Patriots, and they managed to get one of the better options even after trading back. It helps that moving back might have also blocked the Jets from landing Broderick Jones.
Gonzalez has impressive speed and was particularly adept in press coverage in college, something that positions him to be an impact player in the NFL.
“They're getting the perfect guy, as they know. That’s why they drafted him," Gonzalez's college cornerbacks coach, Demetrice Martin, told Gresh and Fauria on Friday. "They’re getting a perfect fit. He’s well-rounded, he’s going to be able to play outside, he’s going to be able to play inside, he’s going to be able to play up top at safety.”
That versatility should be great in a Belichick-led defense. However, one knock against Gonzalez was his tackling ability.
Martin explained how the 20-year-old has grown in that area.
“Being able to (play multiple roles), obviously you’ve got to be a good tackler,” Martin said. “Christian’s achilles heel coming out of high school as a tackler was he was always trying to be a pleaser. Meaning, he wanted to be exactly correct (with his fundamentals), and sometimes in this game you’ve just got to trigger and go. Once he realized every tackle is not going to be textbook … you (saw) him trending upward once he realized that.”
Martin mentioned that Gonzalez is an asset on special teams and can also be a kick returner – but he wasn’t used for returns at Oregon because he was their top corner.
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