- Joined
- Apr 3, 2006
- Messages
- 26,109
- Reaction score
- 52,116
True, Rob Gronkowski is considered hands-down the best TE in the NFL. He was first team all-pro in 2012 when he missed nearly half the season, which should tell you plenty about the way he is respected. However, in my opinion, Gronkowski is the best offensive player (non-QB) in the NFL, and it isn't even that close. With all due respect to Calvin Johnson, Gronkowski is a more valuable player. Despite having a slow start and playing at a lower level for 25% of the season, he averaged overall more yards per route run than any other player in the NFL - including the wide receivers - and that doesn't even touch on his ability as a menacing blocker, red zone juggernaut, and built-in ability to disguise the run and pass.
I realize the NFL Top 100 Countdown is a joke, but still, how is it possible that the following players ranked ahead of Gronk this year: DeMarco Murray (lol!), Calvin Johnson, Antonio Brown, Marshawn Lynch. Would a single GM in the NFL take Murray, Brown, or Lynch over Gronkowski if he could have any of those players at the same price? I highly doubt it.
I get that in 2012 and 2013, Gronkowski's ranking was watered down by his injuries, but in 2011, with Gronkowski coming off the greatest season of all-time by a TE, where he set the record for most TDs and yards by a tight end, while also being one of the league's best blockers, he ranked 22nd! Jimmy Graham came in at 14th, despite being an inferior pass catcher, a far, far inferior blocker, and a complementary piece to an offense full of weapons. How does this possibly happen?
While these countdowns are a joke, it does seem like analysts are quick to say Gronk is the best TE in the league, but you will rarely hear any of them mention him as one of the league's best overall players.
In my opinion, no RB, WR, or TE should be ranked above Gronkowski, since Gronkowski's impact is, both statistically and by the eye test, superior to anyone else by a fairly wide margin. Again, respect to Calvin Johnson, who I think is easily the second best, but I truly believe that objectively, Gronkowski is a more valuable player.
I realize the NFL Top 100 Countdown is a joke, but still, how is it possible that the following players ranked ahead of Gronk this year: DeMarco Murray (lol!), Calvin Johnson, Antonio Brown, Marshawn Lynch. Would a single GM in the NFL take Murray, Brown, or Lynch over Gronkowski if he could have any of those players at the same price? I highly doubt it.
I get that in 2012 and 2013, Gronkowski's ranking was watered down by his injuries, but in 2011, with Gronkowski coming off the greatest season of all-time by a TE, where he set the record for most TDs and yards by a tight end, while also being one of the league's best blockers, he ranked 22nd! Jimmy Graham came in at 14th, despite being an inferior pass catcher, a far, far inferior blocker, and a complementary piece to an offense full of weapons. How does this possibly happen?
While these countdowns are a joke, it does seem like analysts are quick to say Gronk is the best TE in the league, but you will rarely hear any of them mention him as one of the league's best overall players.
In my opinion, no RB, WR, or TE should be ranked above Gronkowski, since Gronkowski's impact is, both statistically and by the eye test, superior to anyone else by a fairly wide margin. Again, respect to Calvin Johnson, who I think is easily the second best, but I truly believe that objectively, Gronkowski is a more valuable player.
Last edited: