FOXBOROUGH, Mass – The New England Patriots rookie class certainly showed a lot of promise in their NFL debut, but that was just one game in a long season. 

And head coach Bill Belichick was very clear when asked about the next step for them. 

"They have a long way to go," Belichick said on Friday. "They’ll have a long way to go after they play 17 games and go into next year. We’ll just take it one game at a time. I’m sure they’ll learn something every week, and they all have a long way to go at every position, every player. There’s a lot to learn."

The rookies had a tough matchup to start the season, having to face off against the reigning NFC Champions. And they didn't disappoint. 

Yet, the NFL remains very different from college ball and with that comes veteran players who know the ins and outs of the game. 

"But, they’re just going against a lot of really good players that they just didn’t go against in college," Belichick added. "These guys are a lot better than the guys they went against in college, and the schemes are different, so they’ll learn ever week."

Here's what each of the rookies said heading into their second game in the league: 

Christian Gonzalez 

The Patriots first-round draft pick has had a lot of hype surrounding him heading into the season, and he made some big plays in his debut. 

Yet, he isn't satisfied with his debut performance, instead echoing  Belichick's words. 

"It's a lot of experience out there on the field. There's so much I still have to learn. But it was good getting in the first game, feeling the speed and then playing with all my teammates," Gonzalez said to the media. "So just getting in the film room and seeing the mistakes and learning from that."

In his first game in the NFL, the young cornerback recording a surprising sack, knocking down Jalen Hurts.

And now in his second game, he will have an even bigger challenge ahead with one veteran cornerback possibly sidelined. 

Jonathan Jones popped up on the injury report this week with an ankle injury. Currently listed as questionable, the Patriots could be without a key piece of the defense, with Jonathan Jones have experience locking down Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill. Without him, it could come down to Gonzalez along with the duo of Marcus Jones and Myles Bryant. 

And to prepare, he has been sure to pick Jonathan Jones' brain and learn all he can for this tough matchup. 

Demario Douglas

A standout during training camp, Douglas earned a spot on the active roster. A six-round pick in the draft, the receiver isn't taking this opportunity for granted.   

"Blessed to get an opportunity every day, blessed to be here," Douglas told AtoZ Sports. "Just can't wait to get out there again. I just love being out there." 

He had four receptions for 40 yards in his debut, showing that despite his strong performance during the preseason, he still has plenty of room to grown and learn. 

"I feel like I just go out there and play for the team," Douglas added. "That name that's on the front and also the back. So come out there and just do what I have to do." 

Marte Mapu

Sunday's season opener was the moment that Mapu had been waiting for. Despite suffering a torn pectoral muscle in February prior to the draft, Mapu earned a spot on the active roster even though he spent training camp in a red non-contact jersey. 

He has been ready to go since he joined the team, and prides his coaches and fellow teammates with helping him prepare. 

"I think the best way to answer that is just based off your preparation and I think the team has done a really good job of preparing us, as rookies and also like individually," Mapu told AtoZ Sports. "I think they did a really good job preparing me, working me into the system, taking me from where I was athletically with my injury and then being able to work with me all the way up until ow, so I think they do a good job. 

"I didn't feel too stressed out there, but the first game of many," Mapu added. 

In his first game, Mapu finished with three total tackles, including two solo ones. 

Keion White

Many thought that Keion White was going to be a problem for opposing offenses and he proved that is gong to be the case in his debut. 

Yet, the soft-spoken defensive end is only focused on one thing: playing the game he loves.  

"It's a different team. That's about it. You just watch the film and treat it differently," White told AtoZ Sports. "To me football is football. So you play all games, prepare for all games." 

"At the end of the day, I'm still play the same game that I've played for (19) years, so it's all the same," White added.

White finished his first game with one pass defended, yet the rookie was more focused on the end result when asked how it felt to get his first game over with.

Featured Image via Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports