Pros: When healthy, “Gronko” exudes a deadly cocktail of excellent hands, route-running ability, and toughness that’s uncommon in most tight ends. He is a weapon that's nearly impossible to take down by one tackler in the open field; players just bounce off him. The Williamsville, NY native does a great job of securing the football when big hits come in his direction. He also makes good use of his tremendous size by shielding his opponents on slant plays over the middle and then proceeds to carry them on his back for another few yards.
Cons: Gronkowski has been recovering from back surgery and says he should be 100 percent in about three months. If the injured Wildcat can improve his blocking, he may be one of the most complete tight ends we’ve seen in years.
Our View: Reportedly, the junior tight end will wait on how he’s graded by an impartial group of scouts before deciding on whether to enter the upcoming draft. He wants to know that he’s going to be a first-round pick. Quite frankly, it would be hard to imagine how he could slip past the first round. Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham is the only player who can be taken before him at his position. He certainly looks the part with his 6’6” height and chiseled frame, but unlike a lot of beefcake types we’ve seen in the past, Gronkowski is a versatile athlete that can be split out wide or as a flanker.
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