New England Patriots Select Gronkowski’s Replacement In Latest ESPN Mock Draft

The New England Patriots will enter the upcoming season without star tight end Rob Gronkowski. But, it seems like they have found a replacement through this Mock Draft.

According to this Mock Draft, Irvin Smith Jr. will replace Gronk. He even shared a not-so-subtle message on social media right after the Patriots tight end announced his decision to retire.

This leads us to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. He says the Patriots will select Smith in the very first round.

Smith ran the 40-yard dash in 4.63 seconds at the NFL combine. He sure can play tight end as a pro. He didn’t record any receptions as a true freshman in 2016, and rebounded with 15 catches for 128 yards and three touchdowns in his sophomore year. This was followed by 44 grabs for 710 yards and three touchdowns in his junior campaign.

What does head coach Bill Belichick say about this? He loved Gronk and his skills on the field. The head coach delivered a huge message following Gronk’s announcement.

“It was a pleasure and a privilege to coach Rob Gronkowski the past nine years,” Belichick said. “From his rookie year until his final season and through countless times in between, Rob was a major reason why we won games and championships. His elite combination of size, skill, intelligence, toughness and ability to perform in pressure situations set him apart.

Rob’s impact on our team and organization was felt in many ways. In the ultimate team sport, Rob was a great, great teammate. His production spoke for itself, but his daily attitude, unmistakably positive energy wherever he went and toward whoever he touched will never be forgotten.

“Rob will leave an indelible mark on the Patriots organization and the game as among the best, most complete players at his position to ever play.”

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *