Patriots’ Gonzalez named one of many prime 100 gamers in NFL

The annual rankings are compiled primarily based on polling from NFL gamers — with just a few established skills giving Gonzalez his flowers throughout the NFL’s video package deal.

“His smoothness and skill to get downhill on breaks, it looks like, even when he may not have a step, his closing pace is subsequent degree,” Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey mentioned of Gonzalez.

Regardless of getting some recognition from his friends, the case could be made that Gonzalez ought to have been ranked even larger after establishing himself as one of many prime cowl corners within the league in 2024. 

After exhibiting loads of promise as a rookie in 2023 earlier than struggling a season-ending shoulder damage, Gonzalez was one of many few shiny spots on the 2024 Patriots roster.

The No. 17 decide within the 2023 NFL Draft closed out final season with 59 complete tackles, two interceptions, 11 go deflections and one fumble restoration in 16 video games. For his efforts, he was voted to the All-Professional Second Group.

Gonzalez is predicted to be one of many leaders on a revamped Patriots protection below Mike Vrabel in 2025, with the Oregon product to group up with free-agent pickup Carlton Davis because the group’s two beginning corners. 

“Hopefully we will simply play cat protection — ‘You’ve bought this cat, I’ve bought this cat. And we will go to work,’” Vrabel mentioned in March of Gonzalez and Davis working as a tandem. “I’d say the factor I admire about watching CD is they may catch a ball on him, however he simply traces again up and he competes and he challenges.

 

Conor Ryan is a workers author overlaying the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Crimson Sox for Boston.com, a job he has held since 2023.