Christian Gonzalez 2023 NFL Draft Projection: How high could Oregon CB go?

Christian Gonzalez, a cornerback for Oregon, is thought to be the top prospect at his position in the 2023 NFL draft.

The Atlanta Falcons are rumored to need cornerback reinforcements this offseason, possibly as high as the eighth pick in the 2023 NFL draft. At No. 8 overall, Gonzalez is rumored to be the Falcons' top choice and may bring a wide collection of beneficial qualities and key competencies to Atlanta in the April draft.

Since the New Orleans Saints took cornerback Alex Molden in the first round as the 11th overall in the 1996 NFL draft, Oregon has not picked a cornerback in the first round. With Christian Gonzalez, their 27-year search for a first-round CB pick could end soon.

The Gonzalez family is incredibly athletic. Christian's father participated in both semi-professional and collegiate basketball at Columbia. His two older sisters competed in track and field and were All-Americans in the 400-meter hurdles and the 4400 relays. Thus, it shouldn't be shocking that Gonzalez is a talented athlete.

He recorded 17 pass breakups, 46 tackles, two forced fumbles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries while playing defensive back in high school. He was even more effective on offense. Gonzalez amassed 1,394 all-purpose yards and 18 TDs in his last two years, with 65 catches for 956 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Gonzalez was the most capable and effective defender for Oregon in 2022. His stature, quickness, technique and ability to make plays contributed to him becoming the finest cornerback in the Pac-12.

Last season, he started all 12 games for Oregon, earning 50 total tackles, four pass breakups and four interceptions. By beating North Carolina 28-27 in the Holiday Bowl, the Ducks concluded the season with a 10-3 record. In 2022, Oregon's defense allowed 260.6 passing yards per game.

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What are Christian Gonzalez’s strengths and weaknesses?

Gonzalez is one the most athletic cornerbacks in the 2023 NFL draft. There's also a convincing case to be made that Gonzalez has the group's most athletic potential.

Christian Gonzalez excelled in the sport of track in high school. His 40-yard dash placed him in the 95th percentile among CBs at the Scouting Combine, and he also had the second-best Relative Athletic Score among players in his position. In his clips, his superior agility is amply evident.

Gonzalez analyzes the QB's gaze well in zone coverage, suggesting he has a high football IQ. He only needed one summer to master the playbook despite Oregon's defensive strategy demanding a lot from their CBs.

Christian Gonzalez's game has potential, but he can undoubtedly grow stronger. He can do a better job of keeping his position and avoiding having the route cross his face. Everything truly depends on his physical prowess and power, which may never materialize.