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Patriots Sunday: New England’s Young Pro Bowlers

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New England Patriots rookie Christian Gonzalez makes his NFL debut

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez turned 22 on Friday. His rookie season was cut short due to injury, But if Gonzalez can stay healthy in 2024, he could ascend to Pro Bowl status as an NFL sophomore. Only four previous cornerbacks in Patriots history have made a Pro Bowl team within their first two seasons. Only eight Patriots players have made a Pro Bowl before turning 23. Could Christian Gonzalez join both of these exclusive groups?



Four cornerbacks were selected to the AFC Pro Bowl roster last season. All four return to their teams in 2024, so Gonzalez needs to supplant one of the incumbents to be honored. Last season’s four honorees were Patrick Surtain II (Broncos), Sauce Gardner (Jets), Jalen Ramsey (Dolphins), and Denzel Ward (Browns). There are other recent Pro Bowl selections playing in the AFC as well. These include Marlon Humphrey (Ravens) and Kenny Moore (Colts). Other AFC corners who received All-Pro votes in 2023 were L’Jarius Sneed (Chiefs), Derek Stingley (Texans), Rasul Douglas (Bills), and Martin Emerson (Browns). Addition corners, led by Kansas City’s Trent McDuffie, were also recognized as slot cornerbacks.

In other words, even a healthy and productive Christian Gonzalez has a lot to overcome to be recognized in 2024. But if the second-year stud can remain healthy and play as he did in the first month of 2023, seeing him honored as one of the game’s best should shock nobody.

Young Patriots Pro Bowl Corners

As stated, four Patriots cornerbacks earned Pro Bowl honors in their first or second NFL season. This elite group consists of:

Leroy Mitchell (1968)
Mike Haynes (1976, 1977)
Devin McCourty (2010)
Malcolm Butler (2015)

Youngest Patriots Pro Bowlers

Christian Gonzalez turned 22 on June 28, 2024. If he does make the Pro Bowl this season, he’d become the second-youngest Patriots Pro Bowl selection in franchise history. Here is the list, in order, based on when they turned 22 before their Pro Bowl season:

Carl Garrett (Aug. 31, 1969)
Christian Gonzalez (June 28, 2024)*
Rob Gronkowski (May 14, 2011)
Curtis Martin (May 1, 1995)
Jon Morris (Apr. 5, 1964)
John Stephens (Feb. 23, 1988)
Larry Eisenhauer (Feb. 22, 1962)
Drew Bledsoe (Feb. 14, 1994)
Ron Sellers (Feb 5, 1969)

*potentially

Greatest NFL Plays of the 2010s

The NFL’s official X account posted a video with their Top 25 plays of the decade from the 2010s. The New England Patriots made the list four times. Randy Moss making a one-handed grab to score against Darrelle Revis and the Jets came in at No. 20. James White’s Super Bowl-winning touchdown in overtime against the Falcons ranked No. 19. Julian Edelman’s fingertip catch before the ball hit the turf in that same Super Bowl 51 matchup ranked No. 10. And the No. 1 play on the list was Malcolm Butler’s interception off Russell Wilson to win Super Bowl 49.

Aaron Rodgers was the most featured player on the list, with three of the Top 25 plays. Marshawn Lynch was the only other player featured as the main player more than once. Both Edelman and White would have ranked higher if this scribe had a vote, but at least they put Malcolm Butler in his rightful spot.

New England was featured on the wrong ends of several plays. Here is a look at the entire Top 25 list:

Patriots Football Now – Upcoming Week

This is a bit of a down period for the National Football League and the New England Patriots. The offseason features a bit of a lull after the start of free agency, the NFL Draft, and mandatory minicamp. Fortunately, it will not last long. We are just weeks away from training camps beginning around the NFL. In the meantime, there will still be plenty to discuss on PFN.

90-Man Roster Spotlight – Profiles of every member of the New England Patriots 90-man offseason roster will continue to be posted. Upcoming profiles include Chukwuma Okorafor, Ja’Whaun Bentley, and Jahlani Tavai.

Twelve Days of Tom Brady – The series honoring the GOAT will continue. There have been three tributes already, most recently my two favorite Tom Brady plays of all-time. That leaves nine more to go before training camp arrives. Stay tuned!

Training Camp Previews – With camp getting underway later this month, we will dive into which players and positional battles to keep an eye on. Which veterans are in jeopardy of not making the 53-man roster? Who has an opportunity to impress? Will there be unhappy campers over contracts in Foxboro?

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Award-winning blogger, Dan's work has also been featured on Fox Sports, Boston Metro, Barstool Sports, MLB.com, and many other outlets.

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