Evans: The Broncos need to pounce if Rob Gronkowski is on the market
Jul 11, 2018, 6:56 AM | Updated: 9:29 am
An interesting quote surfaced this week from an anonymous AFC executive who isn’t convinced New England tight end Rob Gronkowski won’t be traded by the Patriots. His feeling is that until Gronkowski gets a new contract he believes head coach Bill Belichick could trade his All-World tight end.
If that’s the case, the Denver Broncos need to be on the phone. Immediately.
Swinging a trade for Gronk would be exactly what this team, what this franchise, what this fan base needs.
The Broncos have been woefully inept at the one position opposing NFL defenses still haven’t figured out how to stop –– above-average pass-catching tight ends.
Building around a quarterback like Case Keenum means building around a game manager. Keenum’s strength is his accuracy and knowing where the football should go. The Broncos need playmakers. They don’t have many.
Gronk would be that kind of playmaker at a position and in the part of the field in which Keenum could really take advantage.
Yes, I know. Jake Butt. A lot of potential. But that’s all it is right now a –– potential. He hasn’t played football in a year and a half, and he’s never played a down in the NFL. That’s a lot of eggs in one basket.
Besides, in today’s NFL, what’s wrong with two tight ends? Imagine how much Butt could learn playing alongside Gronkowski?
Then there’s the outlandish personality Gronk possesses. Face it. This Broncos team is kind of drab. Von Miller is Von Miller, but other than that who really livens things up?
Gronk would become the face of Denver sports immediately. He’d inject some much-needed fun into Broncos Country.
Now, let’s answer some of your concerns.
What about the threats of retirement? It’s nothing but a negotiating/leverage tool to get a new contract.
Gronkowski is still only the second-highest paid tight end in football, never mind how far he ranks behind a large number of overrated wide receivers. He can go the WWE route when he’s 35. Right now he’s still in his prime, and he doesn’t want to walk away.
What about his injury history, you say? To which I say, “So?”
He’s gotten hurt. Everybody in the NFL gets hurt. Miller tore his knee. DeMarcus Ware missed a bunch of games when he was with the Broncos. Remember that Peyton Manning guy and the issues he was dealing with when he came to Denver?
Injuries are a part of the NFL like never before. That’s going to keep you from going after a playmaking talent like Gronk?
What about having to give up a No. 1 pick? Who cares?
Gronk’s impact would be such the Broncos would be picking in the late teens or early 20s, so it’s not like you’re passing on a sure-fire first-round talent.
Remember, the NFL draft is a crapshoot. Give me the proven commodity like Gronk instead of someone who might be.
Any other questions? I didn’t think so.
If Gronk’s on the market, the Broncos need to pounce.
