Who is the greatest TE in NFL history?

[rtfgbfan]

93TD’s for Gronk in 143 games is mighty impressive, as well.

He also played with the same HOF QB for 2 franchises. Sharpe had 1, then won with Dilfer in Baltimore.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

This gets difficult.

Gronk was IMO one of the most unstoppable. It was borderline ridiculous WHEN he was healthy. But then again, he had the GOAT QB of all time throwing his way and recognizing coverage (Brady was bar none the best in NFL history at reading pre-snap, and that goes a LONG way with TEs and slot receivers).

I know a lot of people are going to groan at this, but Kelce to me is a little more a product of a system. Reid makes TEs work. He runs a WCO.. always has, always will. Those kind of HCs are a dying breed but they get a ton out of their TEs. Mahomes is certainly capable of making a ton of throws and Kelce is a security blanket.

Gonzalez just made it happen regardless of QBs or offensive scheme. Guy was a beast.

I'd prob. put Kelce 2nd or 3rd. Gronk and Gonzo 1 or 2. Those two also knew how to block, Kelce is OKAY at blocking but mid at best. Shannon Sharpe is way up there too, just played in a different era. Jimmy Graham was a WR in a TE body, doesn't count. If we put Justin Jefferson at TE, we couldn't call Justin Jefferson the best TE in NFL history.

If I was building a team, and I could have one TE 100% healthy for ONE season to help my team/QB... who would I choose? Gronk, hands down. Easy. And I think that is where Kelce is not it. Kelce would be my #2 or #3 for sure, but I'll take Gronk #1.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

This gets difficult.

Gronk was IMO one of the most unstoppable. It was borderline ridiculous WHEN he was healthy. But then again, he had the GOAT QB of all time throwing his way and recognizing coverage (Brady was bar none the best in NFL history at reading pre-snap, and that goes a LONG way with TEs and slot receivers).

I know a lot of people are going to groan at this, but Kelce to me is a little more a product of a system. Reid makes TEs work. He runs a WCO.. always has, always will. Those kind of HCs are a dying breed but they get a ton out of their TEs. Mahomes is certainly capable of making a ton of throws and Kelce is a security blanket.

Gonzalez just made it happen regardless of QBs or offensive scheme. Guy was a beast.

I'd prob. put Kelce 2nd or 3rd. Gronk and Gonzo 1 or 2. Those two also knew how to block, Kelce is OKAY at blocking but mid at best. Shannon Sharpe is way up there too, just played in a different era. Jimmy Graham was a WR in a TE body, doesn't count. If we put Justin Jefferson at TE, we couldn't call Justin Jefferson the best TE in NFL history.

If I was building a team, and I could have one TE 100% healthy for ONE season to help my team/QB... who would I choose? Gronk, hands down. Easy. And I think that is where Kelce is not it. Kelce would be my #2 or #3 for sure, but I'll take Gronk #1.

Calling Gonzo a better blocker than Kelce is just trolling or nostalgia bias, imo.

 

[msgkings322]

Calling Gonzo a better blocker than Kelce is just trolling or nostalgia bias, imo.

Your objection smells of its own bias

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Your objection smells of its own bias

My bias would be to call Gonzalez the GOAT because of his dogwater QB's he had in his prime, actually. If you can find a Chiefs fan over the age of 25 who agrees Gonzalez is a better blocker than Kelce, I'll cry uncle.

 

[black francis]

Bowers

 

[saturdaysarebetter]

Another great question with no clear cut answer. I think Gronk was the most dominant and seemed unstoppable around the goal line he was such a mismatch against defenders.

 

[Ojb81]

Gronkowski and it's not particularly close, IMO

 

[broncosmitty]

Ditka vs a thousand tiny Ditka’s.

 

[PhilSimms11]

To think Antonio Gates was undrafted and turned out to be among the greatest of all-time (955-11,841-116).

 

[chappee11]

Ditka vs a thousand tiny Ditka’s.

“Mini Ditkas 147-Redskins 14”

 

[chappee11]

Polls are still open! Vote vote vote!!!

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

Yeah, Gonzalez didn't block for shit. He was basically a big body, glorified WR. That isn't taking away from how great he was either, just a fact. I know everybody has some recency bias or whatever you want to call it but Winslow was the guy that really changed the position to what a lot of these guys are doing now. And he could really do it all. Gronk as a blocker was as dominating as anyone I ever watched at the position. Kelce and Gronk are both amazing "Big Game" players. Kelce definitely smarter and has the ability to avoid big hits better. Gronk was all out, all the time and fuck the body which is why his career wasn't as long.

 

[belcherboy]

LaPorta

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Ditka vs a thousand tiny Ditka’s.

Q: Who'd win in a fight, a hurricane or Ditka
A: Ditka
Q: What if the hurricane was named Ditka

Courtesy of an SNL skit many moons back.

 

[ducky]

Gronkowski and it's not particularly close, IMO

It really isn't.

He was every bit the receiving threat of every TE on the list. And he was an absolute weapon in the running game for most of his career as his blocking was top notch.

He probably would still be playing but for YEARS the Pat's used him on wham blocks to block the DT. You dont get many #1 TE's asked to run that play all that often anymore.

 

[fknhippie]

I know I'll get blasted for this, but right now I'd take Kittle over Kelce.

 

[Clayton]

It really isn't.

He was every bit the receiving threat of every TE on the list.

There is a shiftiness, Yac, and speed to Kelce thats unique.

Kelce is probably going to retire with twice as many catches, too. Kelce is a much more important receiver to the Chiefs than Gronk was a receiver to the Pats. Kelce has started 3 fewer playoff games and has way more playoff yards and TDs.

Its apples and oranges. A good number of the guys on the list have most of their value in receiving.

 

[Ojb81]

It really isn't.

He was every bit the receiving threat of every TE on the list. And he was an absolute weapon in the running game for most of his career as his blocking was top notch.

He probably would still be playing but for YEARS the Pat's used him on wham blocks to block the DT. You dont get many #1 TE's asked to run that play all that often anymore.

exactly. I've seen no other tight end who had the receiving AND blocking prowess to the degree he did, for as long as he did.

 

[gohuskresurrected]

Is this a regular Ditka or a 14 inch tall Ditka? Not that it matters, just that it might be remotely worth arguing if it were the 14 inch Ditka.