Rob Gronkowski is not your typical tight end. Coming out of Arizona, the New York native measured as one of the 2010 draft class' biggest at such position at 6'6," 258 pounds. His 4.68 40 ranked in the 75th percentile, while his 10 yard split ranked in the 85th. Gronk parlayed his successful combine and accomplished college career (third team All-American as a sophomore despite missing the first three games) into a second round pick by the New England Patriots. Had he not missed his entire junior season due to injury, there's little reason to believe he wouldn't have gone in the first.
The Patriots utilized him as a rookie, starting him in 11 games where he recorded 42 receptions for 546 yards and 10 touchdowns; his three touchdowns as a rookie were the most by a rookie in franchise history as the youngest player in NFL history to do so. Gronk exploded onto the scene the following year, snagging 90 balls for 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns, the latter two of which were NFL records for tight ends- in only his second season. Through his first six seasons, Gronk has tallied 380 receptions for 5,555 yards and 65 touchdowns and has a career similar to that of Jason Witten, Tony Gonzalez, and Mike Ditka via Pro Football Reference.
As tough a runner Jason Witten was, Gronk matches such physicality but possesses unmatched athleticism and ability to make defenders miss in the open field. His play speed, fluid feet, and balance allow the Patriots to flex him out in slot or as a single receiver which is the crux of what makes Gronk one of the most valuable players in the league: he's bigger than the linebackers tasked with covering him and has the speed to challenge safeties down the field. These two videos are prime examples of why the Pats love getting the ball to him in space and running route combinations, lining him up in bunch sets, that allow him a free release so Tom Brady can quickly get him the ball; since 2011, New England has reduced the average time before attempt each season, while averaging between eight and nine yards per attempt. This quick-strike system is why the likes of Wes Welker and Julian Edelman-relatively unwanted slot options prior to their Patriot careers- have thrived in New England.
The first video touches on the aforementioned versatility that allows him to thrive in the slot and challenge safeties, but also highlights Gronk's route running, an aspect he has improved since his rookie season. He sinks his hips and accelerates out of his break to create separation at the top of his route before making a clean catch and hanging on over the middle. The second video showcases the Patriots' four tight end package in the red zone, an aspect of their passing their game they utilize frequently to beat man coverage use as extra blockers in their run game; Scott Chandler was an ideal player in that package and Martellus Bennet will thrive in the red zone in 2016. Here, Gronk uses his well-documented athleticism to dip underneath and stack his man defender before making a catch that corner back's can't defend.
Tight ends are tasked to play an important role in the running game, and Gronk's blocking ability is arguably the best in the league. The video's captions highlights his sound technique, but his strength and size make him a difficult task for defensive ends to beat.
The NFL's elite have very little holes in their game and players at this level have high football IQs that can mask whatever weaknesses they may possess. Nonetheless, Gronk is not a perfect player. One area where he can reduce his inconsistencies his is inability to disengage from physical defenders, failing to use his hands to combat such weakness. Another recurring inconsistency is getting into his break: being the explosive athlete that he is, he should be able to get in and out of breaks with ease rivaling that of NFL receivers; the second video shows that isn't necessarily the case.
Above all else, perhaps Gronk's biggest weakness is his injury history. He missed five games in 2012 due to a forearm injury before undergoing surgery to fix the issue in May 2013; he also underwent back surgery in June of that same year. The 2013 season robbed him of nine games as well due to MCL and ACL tears, returning to form in 2014 with 82 receptions for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns in 15 games (10 starts).
Tony Gonzalez is statistically the best tight end the NFL has ever seen, and Gronk may not touch his career records. I don't believe that's indicative of Gonzalez simply being the better tight end: Gonzalez's records are durational-he played for 16 years, a number Gronk may not see due to his injury troubles. Cross-era comparisons hard to support and defend, but when it's all said and done, we can make the definitive case for Gronk as the game's most talented tight end.
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