There was some seemingly conflicting messaging coming from the New England Patriots after the first day of the 2023 NFL Draft early Friday morning, but if you parse it out, it all fits together.

After drafting cornerback Christian Gonzalez with the 17th overall pick, Patriots director of player personnel Matt Groh both said that the team was surprised that the Oregon defender “lasted as long as he did” but that “there was a feeling he was still going to be available” after they traded down from No. 14 overall.

So, how is that possible?

Groh said the team didn’t know for sure that Gonzalez would be available when they were back on the clock but that they were comfortable with a number of different players at No. 17 overall. 

He also noted there was a run on offensive tackles before the Pittsburgh Steelers traded up from No. 17 overall — along with the 120th overall pick in the fourth round — to acquire the Patriots’ 14th overall pick. So, if a team wanted an offensive tackle, they’d have to move up to get one, and that’s what the Steelers did when they selected Georgia’s Broderick Jones. 

The offensive tackle-needy New York Jets, who selected Sauce Gardner in the first round last year and also have D.J. Reed and Michael Carter at cornerback, picked 15th and took edge defender Will McDonald with Jones gone. And then Groh said New England had a good inclination that the Commanders would take Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes at No. 16 overall, which they did. 

So, the Patriots were playing their odds, but if Gonzalez was there at No. 14 overall, then there was a decent chance that he’d also be there with the 17th overall pick.

The Patriots took a chance, and it paid off. Because at least one person in the building thought Gonzalez was going to be selected in the top 10. Another person privately said he was surprised they were able to draft Gonzalez.

The former Ducks cornerback fills a major need as a defender who can match up with big, physical wide receivers at 6-foot-1, 197 pounds with a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, 41.5-inch vertical leap and 11-feet, 1-inch broad jump. The Patriots’ other top cornerbacks are below 6 feet, and Jonathan Jones is the heaviest player at the position at 195 pounds.

“To be able to pick up Christian and pick up an extra fourth-round pick, we feel very encouraged by Day 1,” Groh said.

Gonzalez is still young and is turning 21 in June. A true junior in 2022, he’s also pretty experienced with 30 starts under his belt split between Colorado and Oregon, where he transferred for the 2022 season.

The Patriots' top remaining needs are at offensive tackle, wide receiver and edge defender.

Featured image via Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK