Patriots Sunday: New England’s young Pro Bowlers

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 a sophomore in the NFL. 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 exclusive groups?

Four cornerbacks were selected to the AFC Pro Bowl roster last season. All four will return to their teams in 2024, so Gonzalez will have to replace one of the incumbents to be honored. Last season’s four guests of honor were Patrick Surtain II (Broncos), Sauce Gardner (Jets), Jalen Ramsey (Dolphins) and Denzel Ward (Browns). There are also other recent Pro Bowl selections playing in the AFC. 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 Trent McDuffie of Kansas City, were also recognized as slot cornerbacks.

In other words, even a healthy and productive Christian Gonzalez still has a lot to overcome to be recognized in 2024. But if the second-year stud can stay healthy and play like he did in the first month of 2023, he will be honored as a of the game’s best shouldn’t shock anyone.

Young Patriots Pro Bowl Corners

As mentioned, four Patriots cornerbacks earned Pro Bowl honors in their first or second NFL seasons. 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 makes the Pro Bowl this season, he would become the second-youngest Patriots Pro Bowl selection in franchise history. Here’s the list, in order, based on when they turned 22 before their Pro Bowl season:

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

*possible

Best NFL Plays of the 2010s

The NFL’s official X account posted a video listing their Top 25 Plays of the Decade, starting in the 2010s. The New England Patriots appeared on the list four times. Randy Moss’s one-handed grab to score against Darrelle Revis came in at No. 20. James White’s Super Bowl-winning touchdown in overtime against the Falcons came in at No. 19. Julian Edelman’s pre-turf fingertip catch in that same Super Bowl 51 matchup came in at 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-mentioned player on the list, with three of the Top 25 plays. Marshawn Lynch was the only other player to be mentioned as a key player more than once. Both Edelman and White would have finished higher if this scribe had a vote, but at least they put Malcolm Butler in his rightful place.

New England was shown on the wrong side of the table in several plays. Here’s a look at the full Top 25 list: