New England Patriots rookie impresses versus superstar WR
By Devin Hurst
Despite the loss to the Miami Dolphins in week 2 New England Patriots first-round pick rookie corner Christian Gonzalez did about all you could ask for versus superstar wideout Tyreek Hill. The 21-year-old rookie had six tackles to go along with his interception of Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. During the interception, Gonzalez was in great coverage versus one of the hardest wide receivers in the league to cover in the speedster Hill.
Christian Gonzalez gets his first career interception off of Tua Tagavailoa -- and the Patriots have life. pic.twitter.com/qdUAzqp35c
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 18, 2023
Coach Bill Belichick raved about "Gonzo" on the Greg Hill show Monday morning. Belichick went on to say "Gonzo learns every day. Smart kid really pays attention and tries to do what you ask him to do. That was an outstanding interception that he had."
Belichick on Christian Gonzalez's first career interception (via @TheGregHillShow):
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) September 18, 2023
"Gonzo learns every day. Smart kid really pays attention, tries to do what you ask him to do. That was an outstanding interception that he had."
With Jonathan Jones being out for the Patriots on Sunday night Gonzalez was asked to do much more and he stepped up to the task. Throughout the night he was asked to guard Hill or the Dolphins other dynamic wideout first-round pick Jaylen Waddle. While guarding the two speed demons of the Dolphins Gonzalez held up strong only allowing 3 catches for 32 yards while securing the aforementioned interception.
Patriots rookie CB Christian Gonzalez allowed three catches on five targets for 32 yards with an interception Sunday night while covering Dolphins WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Pretty phenomenal.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 18, 2023
He’s played 100% of Patriots defensive snaps through two weeks. (via @PFF)
Hill alone had 215 receiving yards versus the Los Angeles Chargers in week one. In week two versus the Patriots the duo totaled 126 yards with Hill only having 40 yards on five catches. Throughout the game, Gonzalez provided sticky coverage for the Patriots secondary and helped limit the pair the best they could.
Christian Gonzalez had the LOCKS on Tyreek Hill last night 😳
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) September 18, 2023
Gonzalez was targeted just TWICE while he was in coverage on Hill.
He didn’t allow a SINGLE reception and came away with an interception on one of the targets.
Gonzalez is currently allowing a passer rating of 58.5… pic.twitter.com/oNNDvdaWqz
According to PFF Gonzalez was the highest-graded rookie of the week 2 NFL slate. He did this while facing off against arguably the best wide receiver pairing in the league and one of if not the most explosive offenses in the NFL. The only other rookie corner to make the top ten rookie performers list in week two was New York Giants sixth-round pick Tre Hawkins.
#Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez was the highest graded rookie in the NFL this past weekend.
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) September 19, 2023
(📷: @PFF) pic.twitter.com/lNKA5V3MU9
This week two performance comes after an impressive week one performance versus the Philadelphia Eagles. Before the season many speculated that Belichick and the Patriots were able to get the draft night steal with Gonzalez and all he has done is prove them right so far this season.