TE Gronkowski should NOT be a 2nd-round pick (SI column)

My latest Fantasy column on SportsIllustrated.com discusses some of my tenets and philosophies when it comes to approaching a 2012 Fantasy Football draft. I talk about handcuffing running backs, along with a discussion about taking a backup quarterback or tight end.

But the most discussed part of that article was my refusal to take Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski within the first couple rounds of any draft. It’s not that I don’t like Gronk in Fantasy play, or that I don’t think he could end up being the top-scoring Fantasy tight end in the game.

On MockDraftCentral.com, he’s currently being drafted 16th overall (fourth pick of Round 2), in front of players like Larry Fitzgerald, Steven Jackson, Darren McFadden, Greg Jennings, and Roddy White.

Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots — Rob Gronkowski caught 90 passes for 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns last season to set a record for tight ends. Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan

And over at MyFantasyLeague.com, in 233 offseason drafts so far, Gronk is being taken with the 11th overall pick in the first round! That’s before QB Tom Brady, QB Drew Brees, RB Matt Forte and WR Andre Johnson! Without going through all the points I made in the SI article, all I can say is that Gronkowski would have to repeat last year’s numbers in order for this to pan out for people.

CBSSports.com did a 12-team mock draft in late May, and Fantasy Football writer Jamey Eisenberg took Gronkowski with the 28th overall pick (fourth pick of Round 3), which is a completely reasonable spot to take him.

Personally, the only people that I think are crazier than the ones taking Gronk in the first two rounds of a draft – are the ones taking Saints TE Jimmy Graham just a few picks later.

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