Will Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez contend for DPOY in 2026?

Is New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez a dark horse candidate to win the 2026 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award? The short answer is yes.

Gonzalez's best season came in 2024, when he was named a Second-Team All-Pro honoree. The Texas native recorded two interceptions and 11 passes defensed that season. Gonzalez followed that up with another season of note in 2025, as he helped the Patriots reach the Super Bowl before losing to the Seattle Seahawks 29-13.

However, the Oregon product has yet to finish in the top five in Defensive Player of the Year voting in his career. Things can be different for him in his fourth season in the league in 2026.

Only two cornerbacks have won the DPOY award in the last 15 years. Denver Broncos corner Pat Surtain won it in 2024. Before him was former Patriots great Stephen Gillmore, who took home the award in 2019.

Surtain and Gilmore set the standard for what is to be expected from a cornerback that is worthy of DPOY honors. Surtain had a staggering target rate of 9.8 percent in 2024. He allowed only 2.2 receptions per game and eight yards per catch that year. Gilmore allowed 2.7 receptions per game and 12.2 yards per reception in 2019. He also allowed a sublime 44.6 percent catch rate that season.

Gonzalez had a target rate of 17.6 percent last season. He allowed 10.7 yards per reception, 2.9 receptions per game, a catch rate of 52.6 percent and a total of 116 yards after the catch in 2025. Gonzalez posted a 58.5 percent shadow rate as an All-Pro in 2024, which ranked second at the position. He saw his shadow rate dip to 47.1 percent in 2025.

The 23-year-old cover corner has the potential to reduce his catch rate allowed to under 50 percent and his yards after the catch allowed to under 100, like Surtain and Gilmore before him. That will increase the chances of him striking fear in opposing quarterbacks to target receivers he's matched up with less in 2026.