New England Patriots sophomore cornerback Christian Gonzalez was one of the most impressive rookies in the league in 2023 before suffering a season-ending injury. Gonzalez has returned with a vengeance this season. Don't let his performance get lost in the shuffle of the Patriots' disappointing campaign.
Gonzalez has been an absolute workhorse this season, totaling 647 defensive snaps for the Patriots. To date, he's been the sixth-most snapped cornerback in the entire NFL. He's been a shutdown cornerback for first-year head coach Jerod Mayo.
The 3-7 Patriots have fielded a formidable pass defense this season. They currently rank a middling 16th against the pass, allowing 209 air yards per contest. Gonzalez has been far and away their best performer in the defensive backfield.
Gonzalez ranks second in completion percentage allowed as the nearest defender in coverage at 50.9%, according to Next Gen Stats (minimum 50 targets). Gonzalez is also tied for first with Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. in fewest yards allowed per target (5.7).
Quantifying Christian Gonzalez's 2024 season through 10 games (via @NextGenStats, minimum 50 targets):
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) November 12, 2024
🏈 2nd in lowest completion % as nearest defender (50.9%); behind only Houston's Derek Stingley Jr. (49.1%).
🏈Tied-1st (w/ Stingley) in fewest yards allowed per target (5.7).
Pro Football Focus has similar metrics on Gonzalez, crediting him with allowing 34 receptions on 60 targets for 374 yards. He’s the fourth-most targeted cornerback in the league. The No. 17 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, he's allowed just 11 yards per reception. Gonzalez has been assigned blame for two touchdown passes, but he's gone five consecutive games without giving up an end-zone visit.
Gonzalez has also recorded four pass breakups and one interception. The former Oregon standout hasn't allowed a completion longer than 25 yards in three weeks. In fact, Gonzalez hasn't allowed an explosive passing completion (20-plus yards) in seven of his 10 appearances this season.
Gonzalez is also playing a disciplined brand of football. Despite playing so many snaps, the boundary cover-corner has been whistled for three penalties.
Opposing quarterbacks are seeing a below-average passer rating of 79.4 when testing Gonzalez in coverage. They're also routinely testing Gonzalez past the first-down marker. His average depth of target (aDoT) is a healthy 12.6, about a yard-and-a-half more than his yards per reception allowed (11.0).
The Patriots have regularly deployed Gonzalez in man coverage too. Gonzalez has been in man coverage on 43.8% of his designated snaps, the fifth-highest among cornerbacks who have played at least 250 snaps. He’s being asked to shadow opposing No. 1 receivers weekly.
Among corners that have played at least 150 snaps in man coverage, Gonzalez is PFF's highest-graded man-cover corner at 56.9. Interestingly enough, fellow Patriots cornerbacks Marcus Jones and Jonathan Jones are also in the top five of man-coverage rates. It's coach Mayo's preferred approach, and the Patriots have collected cornerbacks that fit their identity.
The rebuilding Patriots remain in their roster revamping phase. There have been positive developments in a losing season. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye is quietly playing outstanding football. On the defensive side, Gonzalez is developing into a legitimate shutdown cornerback. Gonzalez will be a multi-time Pro Bowl cornerback.
