Where Ex-Buccaneers Rob Gronkowski Ranks in Former NFL TE's Rankings of All-Time Greats

It's been said before that former Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski is the best to ever play his position. And it's being said again by former NFL player Clay Harbor for 33rd Team.

David Harrison | Jun 27, 2023

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming out of a two-year dream that ended in a slightly nightmarish ways in the third.

With the arrival of quarterback Tom Brady in 2020 he brought with him a new tight end in Rob Gronkowski who not only come out of retirement to play with his best friend, but also reminded everyone of why he's the best to ever do it at his position.

That revival, even if only for two seasons, is just one reason Clay Harbor of 33rd Team named Gronk as his No. 1 tight end of all time.

"Everyone knows Gronk," Harbor writes. "He has four first-team All-Pros and eight Pro Bowls. What I love most about Gronkowski is that he would've been a Pro Bowler at offensive tackle.

"He was a devastating blocker...The New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers had so much success because of what Gronkowski did in the pass and run game."

It's quite telling that the No. 1 tight end on Harbor's list is praised first for his blocking.

While the position has grown into more and more of a receiving role, the best of the best will always have an ability to impact the game at the line of scrimmage just as much as they do beyond it.

And make no mistake, Gronk impacted the game downfield just as much.

"People understand how good his numbers are," Harbor continued. "In 2011, they saw him become the only tight end to lead the league in touchdown receptions, with 17...If you were to create a custom tight end, it would be Gronkowski. He was the best blocker and receiveer in the league. He was a true playmaker."

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Published Jun 27, 2023

DAVID HARRISON

David Harrison has been in sports media since 2015 using written, audio, and video media to cover athletes, coaches, and games. In addition to covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for BucsGameday and Locked On Bucs he also covers the Washington Commanders for Commander Country and Locked On Commanders and the Washington Wizards for Inside the Wizards. David also covers the NFL as a whole as one of the Friday hosts for Locked On NFL. He is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and previously spent 20 years as an active member of the United States Army. Contact David via email at david.w.harrison82@gmail.com or on Twitter @DHarrison82.