Ty Law. Stephon Gilmore. Darrelle Revis.

Whenever the New England Patriots have had a solid No. 1 cornerback, they’ve won.

Could they have one again in No. 1 pick Christian Gonzalez?

Mabye.

Gonzalez said Thursday night after the Patriots traded back then took him with the 17th pick that he certainly liked Gilmore’s game.

“Yeah, definitely watched Stephon Gilmore,” he said. “He’s a great player. I want to follow in the footsteps of him.”

Of course you groaned when the Patriots turn to pick came and went at No. 14 with the word they made a deal with the Pittsburg Steelers, who were hungry for an offensive tackle and wanted to pick ahead of the the New York Jets in a race to get Georgia’s Broderick Jones.

In one “Sure” the Patriots picked up an extra fourth round pick (pure heaven for Bill Belichick) and ruined the Jets chances at getting the player they wanted at No. 15. When Washington took a stringbean of a corner at No. 16, that cleared the way for the Patriots to take a player many felt was going to be in the top 10 of the draft.

They moved quickly. Patriots perssonnel man Matt Groh said that the team couldn’t be quite sure but had an idea after the trade with the Steelers that Gonzalez would be available, especially if Washington took stringbean Emmanuel Forbes.

“Had a pretty good inclination as to who Washington was going to take,” Groh said, “so we were able to quickly discuss which direction we wanted to go.”

Thank goodness that’s all over with. Lamar Jackson has re-signed with the Ravens. The Mac Jones trade rumors can be buried. So and so knows so and so and heard so and so and blah blah blah. The NFL rumor mill sets journalism back a few decades, that’s for sure.

Gonzalez is young. Can he step in right away? Well, besides being young, he is also confident. He had a point in his sophomore year in high school when he was put on JVs because his coaches didn’t think he was strong enough in the weight room. He transferred. Starred at Oregon. And now he’s ready to either get toasted by the likes of Tyreek Hill or make big plays.

“It’s kind of all a whirlwind, just aking it all in,” he said. “Yeah, definitely put some thought in it, but I’m ready for the competition.”

Ready or not, it’s coming. The Patriots needed a No. 1 corner. They certainly hope they have a player who can eventually become one.

“It’s kind of surreal,” Gonzalez said. “Maybe it will hit and truly hit when I can lay down and breathe again.”

He better not get to used to that.

Tom King can be reached at tking@nashuatelegraph.com, or on twitter @Telegraph _TomK.

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