Patriots corner Christian Gonzalez leads Latinos in NFL
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Xavier Andrade,
- September 9, 2026
Top 26 Latinos to Watch in the NFL in 2026
Since being drafted 17th overall in 2023 by the New England Patriots, Christian Gonzalez has routinely lined up against the league’s top receivers. In three seasons the cornerback with Colombian roots quickly proved that his high draft status wasn’t just hype, earning the respect of his opponents and even those in his own locker room.
“Every day’s a battle with him, man, and it’s nothing but respect,” said newest Patriot teammate and three-time All-Pro wide receiver AJ Brown, who lines up against Gonzalez daily in practice.
Entering his fourth year in New England, Christian Gonzalez has solidified his status as one of the NFL’s premier shutdown defenders. The Patriots just made him the highest paid cornerback in NFL history with a four-year, $135 million contract extension on Tuesday.
Christian Gonzalez lands historic deal
He leads our list of Top 26 Latinos in the NFL. Here are 26 Latinos to look for during the 2026 NFL season:
- Christian Gonzalez | DB | New England Patriots | Colombian Heritage
In 2025, Christian Gonzalez posted elite pass-coverage numbers and was part of a Patriots defense that finished top-10 in defending the pass.
He allowed only a 43% completion rate as the primary defender, which ranked the lowest among all cornerbacks with 200+ coverage snaps played.
- Fred Warner | LB | San Francisco 49ers | Mexican & Panamanian Heritage
There was a noticeable difference last year when the San Francisco 49ers lost linebacker Fred Warner to a season-ending ankle injury in Week 6. Warner has been one of the top linebackers in the NFL since entering the league in 2018.
In just six games last season, the four-time pro bowler and all-pro linebacker made 51 tackles and forced two fumbles. The 49ers hope his return restores the heartbeat of their defense.
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- Nik Bonitto | Linebacker | Denver Broncos | Cuban Heritage
Nik Bonitto proved to the Broncos last season that the $104 million contract they offered him after the 2024 season was the right move. Bonitto was a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks in 2025.
The linebacker finished with a career-high and team-best 14 sacks for a defense that led the entire NFL in that category.
- Chris Olave | WR | New Orleans Saints | Cuban Heritage
Despite quarterback changes in New Orleans last year, Chris Olave’s production did not slow down. In fact, his numbers peaked. The 26-year-old wide receiver set career highs in receiving yards (1,163) and receiving touchdowns (9).
As second-year quarterback Tyler Shough is set to start Week 1 for the Saints after relying heavily on Olave as a rookie, it is likely to be another productive year for the Cuban-American Olave in 2026.
KC Concepcion does it all
- KC Concepcion | WR | Cleveland Browns | Puerto Rican Heritage
KC Concepcion got Browns fans excited about his dynamic skillset early in training camp when he took a 14-yard handoff for a touchdown against the Bears in Cleveland’s first preseason game.
Selected in the first round of the 2026 draft, Concepcion comes off a stellar year at Texas A&M, where he posted 919 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns and was given the Paul Hornung award for his versatility.
- Bryce Young | QB | Carolina Panthers | Mexican Heritage
Bryce Young, the former 2023 first overall pick, has faced a challenging start to his NFL career, but it seems that he has found success under head coach Dave Canales. Since pairing up in 2024, the two have built a strong duo.
The quarterback is coming off a solid 2025 season, where he passed for career highs in yards (3,011) and touchdowns (23) while leading Carolina to its first playoff appearance in eight years.
Jacob Rodriguez brings hardware to NFL
- Jacob Rodriguez | LB | Miami Dolphins | Mexican Heritage
Jacob Rodriguez proved he was one of the best players in college football last season. The linebacker forced 13 takeaways. He was awarded the Chuck Bednarik Award as college football’s top defensive player.
Rodriguez has raised eyebrows throughout training camp and has quickly caught the eye of Miami head coach Jeff Hafley. Hafley recently announced that the rookie earned the Dolphins’ starting middle linebacker role heading into the 2026 season.
- Cam Skattebo | RB | New York Giants | Mexican Heritage
Selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft, Cam Skattebo quickly became known for his physical, downhill running style during his rookie season.
Before a season-ending ankle injury cut his season short in Week 8, Skattebo rushed for 410 yards and five touchdowns. In 2026, he will take over as the Giants’ lead back when they host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in Week 1.
- Steve Avila | OL | Los Angeles Rams | Mexican Heritage
Since Avila entered the league as a second round draft pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 2023, the guard has been a reliable protector in both the run and pass game. In three seasons Avila has started 40 games.
Avila ranked ninth in run-blocking grade (74) among all qualified guards and only allowed one sack last season.
Fernando Mendoza may sit early
- Fernando Mendoza | QB | Las Vegas Raiders | Cuban Heritage
With veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins already signed ahead of the 2026 NFL draft, Las Vegas made its long-term vision clear when they selected Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick.
Mendoza enters the league as the most decorated passer in his draft class, fresh off a historic college career with a Heisman and national championship on his resume.
As there is much excitement surrounding the rookie, it is likely the Raiders are prioritizing the 22-year-old’s development. With Las Vegas turning to Cousins as the starting quarterback heading into Week 1, fans will have to wait to see when Mendoza will get his shot.
Fernando Carmona Jr. earns starting nod
- Fernando Carmona Jr. | OL | Tennessee Titans | Mexican Heritage
Carmona Jr., a fifth-round selection in the 2026 draft, had an efficient year as a Razorback in 2025, where he gained second-team All-SEC honors.
The offensive lineman has impressed during his first training camp and is officially listed as the Tennessee Titans’ starting right guard for Week 1 against the New York Jets.
- Julian Love | DB | Seattle Seahawks | Cuban & Mexican Heritage
Injury limited safety Julian Love to just eight games in 2025, but he still managed to make 34 tackles and one interception. Entering his eighth NFL season, Love brings a veteran presence to a young Seahawks roster fresh off a Super Bowl victory.
- Alijah Vera-Tucker | OL | New England Patriots | Mexican Heritage
After bouncing back from a torn Achilles in 2023, Alijah Vera-Tucker delivered a breakout 2024 season where he earned a career-high 77.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
A torn triceps unfortunately kept him out in 2025, but the guard is set to make his latest comeback in 2026 as a new addition to the New England Patriots’ offense.
Latino kickers abound
- Eddy Piñeiro | K | San Francisco 49ers | Cuban & Nicaraguan Heritage
Piñeiro was a journeyman through his first five seasons in the NFL, bouncing between three different teams before San Francisco gave him a chance in Week 2 of the 2025 season.
The kicker drilled 28 of his 29 field goals across 14 games for the 49ers. He signed a four-year, $17 million extension this past offseason to stay as a member of the red and gold.
- Cairo Santos | K | Chicago Bears | Brazilian Heritage
A 54-yard field goal against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11 of last season crowned Santos the record holder for the most 50+ yard field goals made in Bears history (24).
The 13-year NFL veteran kicker has spent the past six seasons in Chicago, where he has made over 89% of his field goal attempts.
- Cesar Ruiz | OL | New Orleans Saints | Dominican & Puerto Rican Heritage
After being drafted in the first round in 2020, Ruiz has started 83 games for New Orleans across six seasons.
In 2025, Ruiz ranked in the top 13 in pass blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus. The Saints will count on Ruiz’ veteran presence to lead the offensive line in 2026.
Venezuelan history
- Andres Borregales | Kicker | New England Patriots | Venezuelan Heritage
Borregales made history in 2025 when he became the first Venezuelan-born NFL player to appear and score in a Super Bowl. Drafted in the sixth round by the New England Patriots, Borregales made 27 out of 32 field goal attempts as a rookie.
- Jaylinn Hawkins | S | Baltimore Ravens | Panamanian Heritage
Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2020, Hawkins has appeared in 90 games across a six-year NFL career. The safety found a lot of success in 2025 with the New England Patriots, where he secured four interceptions and a Super Bowl appearance.
He made the move to Baltimore this past offseason with a two-year deal to be part of the Ravens secondary.
Elijah Arroyo ready for another Super Bowl run
- Elijah Arroyo | Tight End | Seattle Seahawks | Mexican Heritage
Reigning Super Bowl champion Arroyo had a limited role as a rookie for the Seattle Seahawks in 2025. The tight end caught 15 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown in 2025.
- Matt Araiza | P | Kansas City Chiefs | Mexican Heritage
Araiza set the NCAA single-season record for average punt yardage as a junior at San Diego State, which earned him the 2021 Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top collegiate punter.
Araiza has spent the past two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, appearing in 34 games, punting for an average of 48 yards.
Chris Rodriguez, solid No. 2 back
- Chris Rodriguez Jr. | RB | Jacksonville Jaguars | Puerto Rican Heritage
After a decorated career at the University of Kentucky, Chris Rodriguez Jr. was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 draft by the Washington Commanders.
Over three seasons in Washington, the running back appeared in 35 games, rushing for 920 yards and 10 touchdowns.
In 2026, he will be in Jacksonville on a new two-year contract. He enters Week 1 as the Jaguars’ No. 2 running back.
- Levi Drake Rodriguez | DL | Minnesota Vikings | Mexican Heritage
The Vikings took a swing at Levi Drake Rodriguez when they selected him in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft. Now, the East Texas A&M alum is beginning to shape into a valuable defensive lineman.
After only appearing in two games as a rookie, Rodriguez appeared in 16 games in 2025, recording two sacks and 43 tackles.
Punting excellence
- Rigoberto Sanchez | P | Indianapolis Colts | Mexican Heritage
Sanchez has taken charge of the punting duties for the Indianapolis Colts for the past eight seasons and has had a productive tenure. He set the longest punt record in Colts history in 2021.
In 2025, he set the Colts’ franchise record with a 44.7-yard net punt average.
- Corey Bojorquez | P | Cleveland Browns | Mexican Heritage
Bojorquez has had a long career since being undrafted in 2018. He has spent four of his past eight seasons as a Cleveland Brown. In 2025, Bojorquez led the NFL in total punting yards on 91 punts.
- Roy Lopez | DL | Arizona Cardinals | Mexican Heritage
Drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2021 draft, Roy Lopez has had a steady 5-year career in the NFL. The 29-year-old has spent seasons in Houston, Arizona, and most recently in Detroit.
In 2025, he appeared in 17 games. He recorded 30 tackles and two sacks as a Lion. Lopez has found his way back to Arizona with the Cardinals.
- Malcolm Rodriguez | LB | Detroit Lions | Mexican Heritage
Rodriguez immediately made an impact as a rookie for the Detroit Lions in 2022. He secured a spot on the 2022 PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Rodriguez has appeared in 34 games. He suffered a torn ACL in 2024. The young linebacker will look to reestablish himself in 2026.
Xavier Andrade
Xavier Andrade, who played football at Luther College, graduated with degrees in Communications and Political Science. He previously worked in editorial and social media for Hola Cultura, a Latino publication in Washington, D.C. Andrade currently coaches football at Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, Calif.
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