Who is the Best Tight End in NFL history?

Rob Gronkowski is the best tight end in NFL history and is widely regarded as the GOAT at the position.

Gronkowski elevated the tight end position by leaps and bounds throughout his tenure in the league, and these days you see more Gronk clones than you can imagine. Travis Kelce, George Kittle and even Mark Andrews have a bit of Gronkowski in their playing styles. You can thank the New England Patriots legend for that.

Rob Gronkowski was picked in the second round of the 2010 NFL Ddaft by the New England Patriots. They traded up to take a chance on the super raw prospect out of Arizona University, and like they say, the rest is history. Gronkowski quickly formed an incredibly productive bond with Tom Brady at New England, and they rode the wave to numerous Super Bowl rings.

Gronkowski became one of the greatest players of his era at New England and was more dangerous on offense than a host of wide receivers. He even led the league with 17 touchdowns in the 2011 NFL season, just his second year in the league. However, don't let these offensive laurels fool you: he was just as awesome on defense, as he's heralded as one of the greatest blocking tight ends in history.

Rob Gronkowski retired from the NFL for the first time in 2019, following a tasking yet successful 2018 NFL season. The retirement didn't last long, though, as Gronk joined his partner in balling, Tom Brady, at his new home in Tampa Bay.

The dynamic duo was electric all season and won the 2020 Super Bowl. That was the highlight of Gronkowsk's time in Florida, as he retired again after the 2021 NFL season. He retired with a GOAT stat line of 621 catches, 9,286 receiving yards and 92 touchdowns in 143 regular season games with the Patriots and Buccaneers.

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Top Five Tight Ends in NFL History

Here are the five greatest tight ends in the history of the National Football League:

1. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs
3. Shannon Sharpe, Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens
4. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
5. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers

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Top Ten Tight Ends in NFL Now

Here are ten of the best TEs playing in the NFL at the moment:

1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
2. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
3. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
4. Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals
5. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
6. T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions
7. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
8. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
9. Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
10. Tyler Conklin, New York Jets