The New England Patriots spent the offseason trying to improve their areas of weakness. The offensive line and the edge positions, as well as tight end, were top priorities. Each was addressed with a premium pick in the 2026 draft.
One position that didn't need much tweaking was cornerbacks. There, emerging superstar and lockdown cornerback Christian Gonzalez (who deserves a contract extension) mans the fort along with Carlton Davis III. They're a top tandem, yet Gonzalez is the key.
The fourth-year player has already had his fifth-year option picked up by the team, but expectations are that it's just a prelude to a massive, well-deserved NFL contract. It's all but guaranteed that if the Patriots are to spend huge money on any players in the near term, there are two who come readily to mind.
One is Gonzalez, who's eligible now, and the other is quarterback Drake Maye, who will be after this season.
Gonzalez has made it abundantly clear that he's one of, if not already the best, cornerbacks in the NFL. When a player of his ilk comes through a team's ranks as a first-round pick and materializes as a star, there should be and likely won't be any question about putting a bunch of cash before him to lock him down for multiple years.
Christian Gonzalez is touted as a Defensive Player of the Year contender
There's no bigger award for a defensive player (other than the NFL MVP) than being the Defensive Player of the Year. It's a singular honor that goes to one player and one only - the best defender in the NFL.
It's no mean feat to achieve that honor, yet Christian Gonzalez is the type of player who's now being looked at as a serious contender for that lofty accolade.
Patriots Wire's Matt Legros thinks Patriots' cornerback extraordinaire can contend for the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) title.
"The 23-year-old cover corner has the potential to reduce his catch rate allowed to under 50 percent and his yards after the catch allowed to under 100, like Surtain and Gilmore before him. That will increase the chances of him striking fear in opposing quarterbacks to target receivers he's matched up with less in 2026.
In the event that he is able to accomplish that, Gonzalez will follow a mold that has led to DPOY honors at the position. Is it realistic to envision Gonzalez recording five interceptions next season? It sure is. That type of production will put him in the DPOY race next season."
Hopefully, Gonzalez will rise to the occasion and meet Legros' expectations with a great season. Mike Vrabel and his teammates will expect no less from the budding superstar.
Now, with the addition of ballhawk Kevin Byard III to the defensive backfield to provide inspiration (he had seven 2025 interceptions), there's no reason Gonzalez can't garner five or more interceptions and make a strong run for the DPOY award.
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