Super Bowl LX could come down to a battle between two 2023 NFL Draft first round picks when New England Patriots All-Pro corner Christian Gonzalez faces off against Seattle Seahawks All-Pro wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Drafted just three slots apart in that draft, both Gonzo and JSN have been monumental in their team’s journey to the Super Bowl. In Year 3, each player has grown to All-Pro status and near the top of the list of each of their positions.
Gonzalez, who was selected with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has battled injuries over his young career, but have overcome those injuries to be one of the most respected cover corners in the NFL. Going up against some of the league’s elite wide receivers, the man known as Gonzo has held his own and embracing an opportunity to go up against an elite talent like Smith -Njigba.
"Jaxon is really good. Elite,” Gonzalez said of Smith-Njigba before the Patriots’ trip to Santa Clara, via Pats Pulpit. “He’s a really good route runner. They line him up everywhere. He’s outside, in the slot and in the backfield. He’s just able to do everything. Smooth, makes it look like he’s not even running.”
Christian Gonzalez vs Jaxson Smith-Njigba is a battle of the elite
Although the two did share the field a year ago in a regular season matchup between the Seahawks and Patriots, they didn’t have the one-on-one matchup anticipated in this Super Bowl LX showdown. Back then, the Seattle had DK Metcalf as their top receiver who drew Gonzalez’s attention. This time around, it will be up to the Patriots’ No. 1 corner to limit Smith-Njigba who has been impactful throughout the season and through the playoffs.
If anyone can limit JSN it is Gonzalez, but it won’t be easy.
Described by Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel as “sudden, savvy, competitive” receiver, JSN has been that and more in his three years in Seattle. Selected with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Ohio State product has gone from playing No. 2 behind Metcalf to taking over the top wide receiver spot in Seattle and a reason the team was able to move on from Metcalf.
In 2025, JSN has hauled in 119 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns during the regular season and has 13 receptions for 172 yards and 2 touchdowns so far during the team’s postseason run. In the two playoff games, he has not gone up against a corner like Gonzalez. This matchup will be the most important one of the fields and could determine the winner of the big game.
Just as smooth in his technique as Smith-Njigba is on the offensive side of the ball, Gonzalez plays the game just as smooth on the defensive side of the ball. The difference could be how physicality of Gonzalez who isn’t known for being physical but can lay the iron on any receiver he goes against.
Let’s state the obvious, if Gonzalez can shut down Smith-Njigba, the Patriots will have a good chance of winning this game. If JSN does what JSN does, it could be a long night for the Patriots’ defense. If both players cancel one another out, this game could come down to who runs the ball best and who steps up for Seattle if JSN is held in check.
Both game changers, both first-round picks, both in Year 3 and both making an impact on the NFL, this could be a matchup talked about for years to come.