While some Patriots coaches were hesitant to shower too much praise on the team’s 2023 rookie class, co-wide receivers coach Ross Douglas didn’t hold back when it came to first-round pick Christian Gonzalez’s daily practice matchups with wide receiver DeVante Parker.

Parker, who’s 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, has gotten the better of Gonzalez on contested catches this summer in training camp. Gonzalez, who’s 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, has held his own and made things competitive, however.

“When you watch Gonzo go up against DP, it’s like two heavyweight fighters,” Douglas told reporters Friday during a video conference call. “DP’s made a living so far in his career making those type of contested catches.”

Patriots cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino was asked about those same Parker-Gonzalez matchups Friday, and it sounds like the rookie cornerback has been able to pick the veteran receiver’s brain about what to do in those jump-ball matchups.

“He talks to Parker a lot about certain situations, hand placement, body weight distribution,” Pellegrino said. “He’s learning a lot, and those are the mistakes in practice — you’d rather have them in practice, right?

“He’s gonna get better, he’s gonna learn from them, and then do it better in the game. So, every mistake is an opportunity to learn from.”

Gonzalez has been a mainstay on the Patriots’ starting defense this summer. The Patriots need his speed and ability to match up with big, physical receivers like Parker.