Christian Gonzalez becomes Ducks' highest-drafted CB since 1996

When Christian Gonzalez transferred from Colorado to Oregon after the 2021 season, the Ducks hoped they were getting steady starter to plug a key hole while Gonzalez hoped to boost his draft stock under a bigger spotlight in Eugene.

Needless to say now, that pairing couldn't have worked out better for either side.

Gonzalez was drafted No. 17 overall in the first round of the NFL draft by the New England Patriots on Thursday night.

That makes it four straight years that Oregon has produced a first-round draft pick, but Gonzalez is the first Ducks cornerback -- or defensive back of any kind -- to go in the first round since Alex Molden went 11th overall in 1996. Only four Oregon defensive backs have ever been selected in the first round including Mario Clark (No. 18 | 1976) and Jim Smith (No. 12 | 1968).

Gonzalez earned it by tallying 50 tackles, 4 interceptions (the first of his college career) and 7 pass breakups for the Ducks last fall, garnering first-team All-Pac-12 status.

He was the third cornerback taken Thursday night, following Devon Witherspoon (4th, Seattle) and Emmanuel Forbes (16th, Washington).

The Ducks now have sent 21 players on to become first-round picks in the NFL draft after Gonzalez's selection Thursday with 12 of them coming since 2000.

The Oregon defensive back is the first player from the program to be selected by the Patriots since Patrick Chung in 2009. Four Ducks have been selected by the franchise in the NFL draft overall.