Top 10 Tight Ends In League History

Rob Gronkowski his finally, maybe retired. That immediately triggered discussion of when he heads to Canton as well as his place among the great tight ends in league history. He’s the best tight end I’ve ever seen. He’s the best because he was probably as great at blocking as he was at ripping up secondaries. He was always easy to spot as he looked so damn much bigger than anyone around him. He dominated as a blocker. He often made defensive backs look helpless. John Mackey may be the only other tight end with so many runs with players hanging on for dear life or falling away like rag dolls. Helpless. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Gronkowski’s great career was his ability to come back from injury. He only started 16 games once and played in 16 games twice. He missed half the season twice. Both times he responded with a 1,000 yards the next season. He always came back from his injuries. He often came back better. Gronkowski was a great, fun football player. My time watching football has spanned the evolution of the tight end position from that of an extra offensive lineman to that of an offensive weapon. From Charlie Sanders and Dave Casper to George Kittle and Travis Kelce. I remember a time when all tight ends were expected to block. Now, it’s a bonus if they even try to block. As a big fan of tight ends that can block, it was a treat to watch Rob Gronkowski play football. He’s the best tight end I’ve ever seen. 

Here are my Top 10 Tight Ends in league history.

1.   Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2.   Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs/Atlanta Falcons 

3.   Kellen Winslow, San Diego Chargers

4.   John Mackey, Baltimore Colts/San Diego Chargers

5.   Dave Casper, Oakland Raiders/Houston Oilers/Minnesota Vikings

6.   Mike Ditka, Chicago Bears/Philadelphia Eagles/Dallas Cowboys

7.   Shannon Sharpe, Denver Broncos/Baltimore Ravens

8.   Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

9.   Ozzie Newsome, Cleveland Browns

10. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers

Tough to leave off: Charlie Sanders, Jason Witten, Greg Olsen, George Kittle.