New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has earned First Team All Pro distinction in four of the past seven years. In the three years he failed to make the All Pro team, he played 11 or fewer games due to injuries. In other words, a healthy Gronk is the best tight end in the league.
Gronkowski played 14 games in 2017 and has played 70 of a possible 96 regular season games over the past six years, but he’s also averaged a ridiculous 1,213 yards and 11 touchdowns per 16-game season. He wants a big contract extension, while the Patriots want protection in case he gets hurt again. Both sides have every reason to want a big year from the tight end.
Oddsmaker betonline.ag created some player prop bets for 2018 and I want to see what our readers think of Gronkowski’s chances next season.
Receiving Yards: Over/Under 1,060
Poll
1,060 receiving yards
Gronkowski collected 1,084 receiving yards over 14 games in 2017. Much like his All Pro distinctions, Gronkowski is a surefire bet to hit the over if he remains healthy- but injuries are a legitimate concern.
Hopefully the tight end can stay healthy and provide quarterback Tom Brady with the elite target the team needs on offense. I’m going with the over.
Total Touchdowns: Over/Under 8.5
Poll
8.5 touchdowns
Gronkowski scored 8 times in 2017, a surprisingly low amount given the Patriots red zone struggles last year. He’s scored just 11 times in his past 22 regular season games. From 2011-15, Gronkowski scored 56 times in 64 regular season games. I would expect Gronkowski to trend back towards that increased scoring rate in 2018 because who else can absorb the touchdowns from Brady?
Julian Edelman will be suspended for four games and he was never really a big red zone target (James White has more red zone receiving touchdowns than Edelman over the past three years). Chris Hogan is a star-in-waiting and could definitely rack up some touchdowns, but he has to remain healthy, too.
And even if Hogan is healthy and Edelman returns to full strength, I expect Gronkowski to score touchdowns in the double digits.