Rob Gronkowski

after the catch

Isn't going to make many people miss due to his elusiveness, but is a physical, throw-back type tight end with the ball in his hands. Tough to bring down due to his toughness, strength and determination.

route running

Gains a quick release off the snap and has enough straight-line speed to challenge down the seam. Good use of shoulder and head fakes to get the defender leaning and has good body control and balance to change directions quickly. Understands where the holes in the zone are and settles nicely. Varies his speed to gain a step against defenders more athletic than he is.

intangibles

Has to prove he's healthy after missing the entire 2009 season due to back surgery and concerns over nerve damage. Underwent a microdiscectomy on Sept. 24, but only began running and working out extensively in January. Good bloodlines. Brother, Chris, is a senior H-back from the Wildcats and a potential NFL prospect. Another brother, Dan, played tight end for Maryland and, as a seventh-round pick, appeared in two games as a rookie for Detroit.

nfl comparison

Jason Witten, Cowboys

hands

Considered his best skill. Soft, reliable hands to pluck the ball outside of his frame. Good flexibility for a man his size. Can bend low to get the ball off his shoe-tops or reach high and wide to snatch it out of the air. Can track the ball over either shoulder. Good concentration to catch the ball with defenders draped over him. Typically catches the ball with his hands, but will body-catch when he feels a big hit coming to protect the ball. One area he'll need to improve on in the NFL is timing his leaps. Allows shorter defenders to knock the ball out of his hands by misjudging his leap, not fully using his natural size advantage and failing to high-point the pass.

release

Good initial quickness off the snap. Quick enough that he was often lined up wide in this offense. Good use of hands to fight through the initial jam by the defender when coming out of the three-point stance. Good lateral agility to elude and get into his route quickly. Good acceleration and at least adequate straight-line speed to challenge defenders down the seam.

blocking

A legitimate in-line blocker. Provides a solid pop to the defender off the snap and works to sustain. Good lateral agility to mirror the defender and has the hand strength and accurate hand placement to latch on. Good strength to ride the defensive end in pass protection or against the run. Reliable seal blocker on the edge and is surprisingly effective driving defenders off the ball. Not as effective getting to and blocking at the second level, though he appears to have the natural skills to ultimately be successful in this area.

2009: Underwent back surgery, missing the entire season. 2008: Missed three games with mononucleosis.

Woodland Hills High School, Pittsburgh, Pa., 2007

SuperPrep All-America

PrepStar All-America

One of the top tight ends in the East

As a senior, Gronkowski earned first team Class 4-A Associated Press All-State honors

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Fabulous 22" team and first team All-Conference by the Gazette

Harrisburg Patriot-News "Platinum 33" team

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25" team

Gronkowski caught eight passes for 152 yards and four touchdowns

Caught 36 passes for 648 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior, with 73 tackles and six sacks on defense

Earned first team All-Western New York and second team All-State honors

East meets West All-America game in Florida in early January 2007

Also a standout basketball player, averaging 21 points and 18 rebounds in 2006 as one of the top centers in western New York, and played at WHHS his senior year.

Academic major to be determined

Grew up in Williamsville, N.Y., in suburban Buffalo area where he played his first three years at North High School, before moving to Pennsylvania for his senior year

Father, Gordon Gronkowski, owns a string of national fitness retail outlets including five in the Pittsburgh metro area

Brother, Chris, is a reserve utility player on UA baseball team

Date of birth: May 14, 1989