Dynasty League Football Forum

Has there ever been a more golden rule in fantasy this decade than "healthy Gronk = #1 TE overall"? Let's start this off by posting his fantasy ranks over the years, starting with his rookie season in 2010 (disclaimer - this is standard/non-PPR scoring):

2010, age 21 - #5
2011, age 22 - #1
2012, age 23 - #2 (damn you Jimmy Graham!)
2013, age 24 - #15 (only played 7 games..... #1 in avg pts/game)
2014, age 25 - #1
2015, age 26 - #1
2016, age 27 - #22 (only played 8 games..... #1 in avg pts/game)
2017, age 28 - #1

2018, age 29 - #8

Those who watched the Patriots-Bills game last night, we can likely agree that he looked closer to the age of 39 than 29. He did have a ridiculous sideline bobble-catch, but outside of that he had the kind of body movements that would make me wince anytime he'd have to exert more than 80% of his energy into a play. With retirement rumors popping up for him every year now, it's easier to wonder if that may be the case this year. Personally I think he decides to leave whenever Brady leaves, but ultimately just anyone's guess for now.

Anyway I digress. I was conversing with my leaguemates last night during the game as we watched old man Gronk struggle yet again this week. He has not been the focal point of the offense that he's been in years past, especially inside the redzone which is certainly a bummer. Until we start to see more evidence of that ol' patented "Gronk advantage" at TE week in and week out, it puts a huge damper on his value.

Obviously he has no place being on a rebuilding team. But for contenders, how do you rank him? Do you still believe in him and would even go out to pay for him? Or do you think this is a falling knife case and he's just going off name value at this point?

I'm not ready to say he is done. He was on the injury report all week, so what if he was a little slow this past week. Show me proof that he is done. He simply hasn't got as many targets as usually does, because defenses are keying in on him. I think that changes with time, as teams have to adjust to Edelman and Gordon, and certainly Michel once he returns.

Could be injury but he hasn't looked the same this year, we'll see though, still plenty of games to go

I think the cliff on his value is near. Not saying he will retire soon but the thought is entering more and more peoples minds, especially with production dipping and Brady also close to retirement.

To start the season and just a few weeks ago most people still had him in the top 3 with Gronk and Kelce. Now it seems that he has slipped into the next tier with the young guys (Henry, Howard, Njoku, Kittle, Engram). Depending on team structure, I wouldnt argue with someone trading Gronk for one of the young guys or vice versa. Hes not in the top for me anymore either. His owner in my one league is rebuilding and has yet to move him. Maybe his price is too high, but I'm not sure he outproduces Njoku much

I’ve watched him quite a bit this year. Doesn’t seem to be creating near the separation he used to be able to. Maybe it’s injury but he doesn’t look like the same gronk. There’s a statement I heard a few years back that has stuck with me about nfl players. When you reach a point we’re your considering retirement than your done even if you come back

I think he retires when Brady retires.

I think age is beginning to show for both Gronk and Brady.

His value is shot. Nobody trades for him looking to improve their squad for next season. Hes a season by season acquisition.

Injuries, talk of retirement and his decreasing numbers make his value quite low. Hes worth more to the owner than he is to the buyer in terms of the value of return.

I play only ppr and rank accordingly. He is currently my TE4 and #54 overall, but every time I update my rankings, he keeps dropping, haha.

I play only ppr and rank accordingly. He is currently my TE4 and #54 overall, but every time I update my rankings, he keeps dropping, haha.

sell while he has any value left. Savy owners would have already unloaded him.

With the way he played and all the injuries he incurred to his body over his career, he was a guy I always thought would just drop off a cliff. It appears to me that he is at the edge of that cliff right now. He just doesn't look the same at all.

If I could trade him for the “market value” I would, but other owners are just as hesitant to bring him on. I’ll likely ride with him him he retires and am thankful I invested in OJ 2 years so seeing this cliff coming.

He looks done, but the TE position is pretty ugly so he’s still a TE1, just not the #1 TE anymore.

Sorry if this is the wrong forum (and I’m going to post it in team advice also)... would you trade Hurst, a 3rd, and Richard for Gronk? TE Super Premium league and need a TE for the stretch run and just lost O.J. I think Gronk will play the rest of this and next year, but after that he’s probably done.

Thoughts?

He's such a tough player to value because:

1. He has league winning upside.
2. He's misses a lot of games.
3. His long-term future is questionable because of injuries/Brady

Worth noting that next season is the last year of his contract and the Patriots can save $10M by cutting him.

TE wise, you're not getting Ertz or Kelce for him. And, would anyone trade a young TE like Howard or Kittle for him either?