Overview

The Gronkowski family is full of athletes. Dan is one of five brothers, including the Arizona Wildcats' Chris and Rob (a junior who earned consensus All-Pac-10 accolades in 2008). Their father, Gordie Sr., played on the offensive line at Syracuse. Dan's older brother, Chris, played three years in the California Angels organization.

Despite starting 17 games in 2006-07, Gronkowski was primarily used as a blocker early in his career, catching only 11 passes for 114 yards during that time. Though his senior numbers were far from eye-popping (29-287-3), scouts felt he emerged in 2008 and league coaches agreed, awarding him honorable mention All-ACC honors.

Gronkowksi's size, blocking skills and ability to move the chains could make him a solid reserve tight end in the NFL. Had an arm span of 34 1/2 inches and a hand span of 10 1/2 inches at the combine.

Williamsville High School: A four-year letter winner and three-year starter, including two at quarterback and one at wide receiver ... completed 122 of 207 passes for 1,407 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior ... completion, yardage and touchdown totals were all school records ... offensive MVP of his league ... a Western New York All-Academic team selection ... set a then-school record with 539 yards receiving in his sophomore season ... also lettered four years in baseball, three in basketball and one in hockey ... also recruited by Arizona, Purdue and Syracuse ... coached by Mike Mammoliti.

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Analysis

Strengths: Looks the part. Good height, and even weight distribution. Good initial pop at the line of scrimmage as a blocker. Good hand placement. Good upper body strength to lock on and has the leg drive to knock defenders off the ball. Good lateral agility and balance to stay square with the defender. Good effort at the second level to block downfield. Uses his hands well to get off the line of scrimmage and into his routes. Presents a big target to the quarterback and knows where the holes in the zone are located. Secure receiver who can take a pop and hang on.

Weaknesses: Lacks the preferred athleticism for the position. Only a short yardage target in the passing game. Slow off the line of scrimmage. Lumbers downfield and struggles to sink his hips and generate any explosion out of his breaks. Lacks the frame to add much more weight.

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