Christian Gonzalez is fully healthy and carrying big expectations going into the 2024 season.

The New England Patriots cornerback and first-round pick (No. 17) of the 2023 NFL draft is back on the field after missing the final 13 games of his rookie season. Gonzalez suffered a torn labrum in his shoulder against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4 and had season-ending surgery.

The former Oregon Ducks’ star impressed during his short stint on the field in 2023, and NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks included Gonzalez on his “All Breakout” team for 2024.

“While this 17th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft might emerge as a superstar, his rookie season was shortened due to injury. When healthy, this smooth-moving playmaker can shut down receivers by shrinking the field for the passer and pass catcher. Gonzalez has the talents, traits and techniques that can help him eventually become known as an elite player at the position.”

Gonzalez had strong performances during his three-plus games in 2023. Using a combination of height, speed and physicality Gonzalez registered 17 total tackles, an interception, three passes defended and a sack during his 3-plus games.

More impressive was Gonzalez holding his own while defending some of the top receivers in the league, including Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith, the Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the New York Jets’ Garrett Wilson and Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb. His play earned him the NFL’s Rookie of the Month for September.

Had he played in all 17 games, Gonzalez was projected to register four interceptions, 13 passes defended, four sacks and 72 total tackles.

Gonzalez will be playing under a new head coach in Jerod Mayo in 2024, but he’s expected to cover some of the league’s best wideouts once again, and he’ll be tested by quarterbacks. The Patriots expect he will be able to meet the challenge.