Ranking the 10 best NFL Draft picks of the decade (2010-2019)

4. 2010 NFL Draft: Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots, Round 2, Pick 42

Tom Brady has had a ton of lethal weapons in his arsenal that has helped him cement his status as the greatest quarterback in NFL history. However, perhaps the most important weapon to his longevity and success was his former tight end, Rob Gronkowski.

Gronkowski was the 42nd overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and was an immediate fixture for Brady and the Patriots offense. In his rookie year, Gronk was the first tight end to score 10 touchdowns since the NFL-AFL merger in 1966. He would go on to prove that rookie year was no fluke and play nine years with New England scoring 80 touchdowns, reeling in 521 balls and punishing defenders for 7,861 yards.

While those numbers are likely enough to get him into the Hall of Fame by themselves, it’s his postseason numbers that showcase his true worth.

Gronkowski finished his career with the most receptions (81), yards (1,163) and touchdowns (12) amongst tight ends in the postseason in NFL history and won three Super Bowls in the process.

His size, physical style of play and overall talent will get him his gold jacket but it’s his personality, love of life and charisma that set him apart. All of those reasons lead to him being number four on this list of top 10 NFL Draft picks of the last decade.