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Rob Gronkowski: Who are his rivals for G.O.A.T. status?

By Patrick Morgan

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 03: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots warms up prior to Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 03: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots warms up prior to Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Tight end Antonio Gates #85 of the Los Angeles Chargers scores a touchdown at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Tight end Antonio Gates #85 of the Los Angeles Chargers scores a touchdown at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Antonio Gates

Antonio Gates is the classic example of a collegiate basketball star who successfully made the transition from the hardwood court to the grass or astroturf field. Originally an undrafted free agent, Gates signed with the then-San Diego Chargers back in 2003, and since then has slowly climbed up the all-time receiving leaderboards in NFL history.

Philip Rivers’ favorite target on the Bolts, Gates is currently the Chargers’ career leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. And that’s not just among tight ends – that’s among pass-catchers as a whole.

Broadening that scope even further to a league-wide level, Gates currently ranks 17th all-time in career receptions in NFL history. Among tight ends, only Jason Witten and the last player listed in this slideshow rank higher.

He is also the NFL’s active leader in career receiving touchdowns with 116 (tied with Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald). Only Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Cris Carter, and Marvin Harrison have more receiving touchdowns all-time than Fitzgerald or Gates currently possess.

Gates has 955 career receptions and 11,841 career receiving yards. He’s been named to the Pro Bowl eight times, named an All-Pro five times, and was selected to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team.

Among tight ends from the modern era, only one other player can compare with Gates from a sheer statistical standpoint…

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