Christian Gonzalez, the New England Patriots’ first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has apparently had a strong camp.

According to The MMQB’s Albert Breer, Gonzalez was the team’s best corner during OTAs and minicamp and could be playing his way into an immediate role on the left side of the field for the Pats. The 6-foot-1 Gonzalez balled out in his lone season with the Oregon Ducks, so the news probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise to those who watched him in the Pac-12 last season.

Gonzalez went 17th overall in the NFL Draft, marking the fourth consecutive year Oregon has had a first-rounder. The other three — Kayvon Thibodeaux, Penei Sewell, and Justin Herbert — all enjoyed immediate roles with their respective teams. Sounds like Gonzalez has a chance to keep that trend going.

The Pats gave Gonzalez first-team reps at corner during OTAs and minicamp. Neither should get too much stock, but it does seem like coaches are high on his potential in Year 1.

In an interview with The 33rd Team, head coach Bill Belichick said Gonzalez could be a guy they move around in the defense and keep on the field.

“We’ll work him at a number of positions, like we do almost all players at this point in time in the spring and then narrow it down a little bit when we get to training camp,” Belichick said. “Ultimately, he’s most likely going to be a perimeter corner but I think there are other situations where he could play inside or could play in the deeper part of the field depending on what the call is or how things present themselves from a game plan structure from time to time.”