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New England Patriots: Rob Gronkowski named a Top 10 player in 2017

By Nick Ziegler

Oct 9, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during warmups before the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Patriots won 33-13. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during warmups before the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Patriots won 33-13. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pro Football Focus has released their list of the Top 50 players for 2017. Did New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski make the list?

The New England Patriots were able to win their fifth Super Bowl in 2016, and impressively it was without tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Last season, the best tight end in the NFL had to battle with injuries throughout the season before a back surgery eventually ended his season early. Gronkowski was only able to play eight games for the Patriots, but he was effective when healthy.

In 2016, Gronkowski totaled 25 receptions, 540 receiving yards, and a ridiculous 21.6 yards per catch average. Even though he played just half the season, and certainly wasn’t 100 percent healthy, Gronkowski still dominated.

Recently, Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus made his list of the Top 50 players heading into the 2017 season. Gronkowski was ranked ninth on his list. Here’s what he had to say.

"Gronkowski is the league’s most unstoppable offensive force. In fact, the only thing really capable of slowing him down during his NFL career has been injuries. He already has as many career touchdowns as Art Monk, Rod Smith, and Raymond Berry, and it has taken him around half the time to get them. In 2016, if you move the qualifying threshold far enough, he led the league in yards per route run among all receivers and has never ranked outside the top five among TEs in that category, leading the league in four of the last six seasons. Added to all of that, he is one of an ever-shrinking group of TEs that can ably block, making him a true matchup nightmare for a defense."

As a complete tight end, Gronkowski is widely regarded as the best player at his position. Since he is already healthy in training camp, he will be poised for a big season.

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The Patriots are expected to have one of the best offenses in the NFL in 2017. While the addition of Brandin Cooks will help, having a healthy Gronkowski is what is really key for them on offense.

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