DFS Army’s Gthom breaks down the Rob Gronkowski retirement and the fantasy impact that could unfold.
- Follow Gthom on the cesspool they call twitter, @GarettThomas.
Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Any time Gronk decides to make a retirement announcement, it feels like the opening lyrics of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. However, this report from Jordan Schultz seems to be the legitimate end to Gronk’s legendary NFL career.
Had a great conversation just now with Rob Gronkowski, who is excited to pursue other opportunities. End of an era for one of the best players ever. @ProFootballHOF
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 21, 2022
Rob Gronkowski did not wait long after Schultz to take to social media. In his official retirement announcement Gronkowski said “…I want to thank the whole entire first class Buccaneers organization for an amazing ride, trusting me to come back to play and help build a championship team. I will now be going back into my retirement home, walking away from football again with my head held high knowing I gave it everything I had, good or bad, every time I stepped on the field.”
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) June 21, 2022
Being nothing less than a future hall of famer, Gronk won the Super Bowl a total of four times across two teams: the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was a five-time Pro Bowler, four-time First-Team All-Pro, a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team: 2010s, and was featured on the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. If there is one thing you should remember about Gronk in his NFL career, it was his uncanny ability to always be himself and how much fun he had playing the game of football.
The Fantasy Impact:
Obviously the next-man up will receive more interest in the fantasy community, that person would be Cameron Brate. The eight-year-vet does not get me excited from a talent perspective. Given that Tom Brady is his quarterback, you cannot count Brate out of your TE mix. Expect him to be a fringe top-12 option with upside, should the touchdowns come.
After that, newly signed Russell Gage will get an even larger targetshare to start the season, especially since Chris Godwin is coming back from a serious leg injury. In best ball formats he is being drafted well below his value, currently the WR41. Grab some exposure on him while it is still cheap. He’s knocking on the WR2 door after Gronk’s announcement.
Gronkowski’s retirement should lead to a few targets to the running back position as well. Leonard Fournette will likely be the primary pass catcher out of the backfield, but you could argue that rookie Rachaad White may be utilized in that role as well.
The Gronk Highlight Tape
Feel free to enjoy some of Rob Gronkowski’s career highlights, because they are AWESOME.
Peak Gronk was insane. pic.twitter.com/qALBqyWCik
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 21, 2022
Rob Gronkowski is riding off into the sunset!
Salute to the greatest Tight End of all-time 🙌pic.twitter.com/prXXT7eqLr
— Prophet Exchange (@prophetexchange) June 21, 2022
Rob Gronkowski’s HOF resume:
– 5x Pro Bowl
– 4x All-Pro 1st Team
– 4x Super Bowl Champ
– 2014 NFL CPOY
– 2011 NFL REC TD (17) leader
– NFL 2010s REC TD (79) leader
– NFL 2010s All-Decade
– NFL 100th Anniversary team pic.twitter.com/Q9vTCL6FVH— Best of Pro Sports (@pro_sports_best) June 18, 2022
MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYSIS FROM GTHOM
Analysis & Outlooks:
4 Observations from Recent Best Ball Drafts
5 Ways to Get Your League Mates More Involved
Drafting Quarterbacks Late Strategy
“Too Early” ADP Analysis – Value Picks for 2022
Three Pass Catching Groups to Avoid in 2022
Three Backfields to Avoid in 2022
Four Players “Ascending” or “Pretending” in 2022 Fantasy Football
“Way Too” Early Mock Drafts:
Mock Draft | SuperFlex League | 10-Team | PPR
Mock Draft | Single-QB League | 12-Team | PPR
Early Redraft Rankings:
RB rankings 1-6 and RB rankings 7-12
WR rankings 1-6 and WR rankings 7-12
TE rankings 1-6 and TE rankings 7-12
Follow Gthom on the cesspool they call twitter, @GarettThomas.