Pats TE Rob Gronkowski didn’t miss a game after getting injured in last season’s AFC Championship win over Baltimore. He played in Super Bowl XLVI, and was back on the field six months later for the Patriots’ preseason opener against New Orleans.
In between, he had surgery for the ankle injury, rehabbed vigorously, posed naked for a magazine cover, and signed a six-year contract extension that could be worth $55 million.
He had a long way to go to get back on the field after getting hurt, but he seems happy with his progress.
Gronkowski caught two passes in last week’s preseason opener, and doesn’t appear slowed by the ankle injury. The more time he can spend on the field, the better the offense will be.
Gronkowski is obviously a key player in the fantasy world this season, going as early as the 2nd round in mocks and drafts this summer. After a historic season a year ago, many figure the law of averages will say he tails off in 2012. But, Gronkowski is still the best TE available come draft day, and if you want him on your team, chances are very good you'll have to target the 2nd round to get him.
