Raiders 2023 7-round NFL Mock Draft: What if Aaron Rodgers arrives?

Raiders 2023 7-round NFL Mock Draft: What if Aaron Rodgers arrives?

Depending on who you ask, Christian Gonzalez may be the best cornerback and perhaps even the best defensive back in this draft. Some argue that Joey Porter Jr or Devon Witherspoon are the better prospects, but Gonzalez makes a great case because of his physical attributes and production.

Gonzalez spent the first two years of his college career at Colorado where he was a slightly above-average player but nothing special. He then transferred to Oregon for his junior year where he improved dramatically and has become one of the top prospects in this year’s class.

In the previous two years, quarterbacks averaged a passer rating close to 90 when targeting Gonzalez but in his junior year that dropped to 74.7. He also recorded 4 interceptions this season, which were the first turnovers he generated in his career.

Gonzalez looks the part of an elite corner at 6-2 and 200lbs and he runs like the wind with a 40 time clocked in at 4.32 seconds. He has the lean frame and long arms that you look for in a true shutdown corner though he could stand to add a bit more weight to his frame to hold up physically in the NFL.

The main concern about Gonzalez is if he is just a one-year wonder and some scouts think he could be bullied by larger receivers in the NFL. He will benefit greatly from an NFL strength training program but he has all of the physical tools and ability to become a shutdown corner at the pro level.