NFL Draft Stock Continues to Soar for Former Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez
The 2023 NFL Scouting combine kicks off this week from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis ahead of the NFL Draft, scheduled for April 27-29 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Six former Ducks will showcase their skills and cornerback Christian Gonzalez looks like the most promising of the bunch.
Draft analysts continue to put out NFL mock drafts and ESPN's Mel Kiper (subscription required) had the former Oregon cornerback coming off the board at sixth overall to the Detroit Lions after trading with the Los Angeles rams.
Here's Kiper had to say about Gonzalez:
"I wrote in January this was a little high for the Lions to take a cornerback, but I've come around on the ceiling of this corner class. We could see two in the top 10. People I talk to in the NFL believe Gonzalez is going to test off the charts at the combine and Devon Witherspoon (Illinois) and Joey Porter Jr. (Penn State) have a chance to be the No. 1 corner as well. The 6-2 Gonzalez had a stellar 2022 season at Oregon, picking off four passes. The Lions, who also own the No. 18 overall pick, have to come out of this draft with a plug-and-play starters on defense. They finished 2022 last in QBR allowed (55.9) and yards per play allowed (6.2). Whether it's a pass-rusher or a corner here, that's the direction they should go."
Gonzalez was Oregon's most skilled and productive defender in 2022 on a unit that looked much more promising than it played. His speed, size, skill and playmaking ability were all part of what helped him emerge as the top cornerback in the Pac-12.
Since the end of last season, the conversation has shifted to him being the best cornerback in the class. That only looks like it's picking up steam, with The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner mocking the corner at No. 7 to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Gonzalez started all 12 games for Oregon in 2022, intercepting four passes, breaking up seven passes and recording 50 total tackles.
The Ducks haven't had a cornerback selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since Alex Molden was selected 11th overall by the New Orleans Saints in 1996. Oregon's 27-year drought of first-round cornerbacks looks like it'll finally come to and end this year with Gonzalez.
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