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With Rob Gronkowski stashed away on the bench for future use, fantasy football owners who drafted him have gotten good news as the NFL season enters Week 4. On Wednesday, Gronkowski had his status upgraded to questionable, but the New England Patriots will most likely keep his game time availability under wraps until later in the week. If Gronkowski is good to go for Sunday’s contest against the Atlanta Falcons, he needs to placed into the starting role on your fantasy team.
Many fantasy players have been aware that there are two tight ends in the NFL that bring in a high volume of points every week to their owners. Along with Jimmy Graham, Gronkowski is tiers above all other tight ends and owners drafted him hoping he would come back to form sooner than later.
Just for fun, let’s remind you of Gronkowski’s career stats: 43 games played, 187 receptions, 2,663 yards and 38 touchdowns. Compare that to start of the career of future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez: 47 games played, 168 receptions, 1,838 yards and 15 touchdowns. It’s undeniable what an amazing start to a career Gronkowski has had.
Week 4 may be the first time Gronkowski takes the field this season which makes his fantasy owners ecstatic. Before the season started, a realistic outlook on Gronkowski’s return was about Week 6, but the tight end appears to be coming along quite well after his surgery and is ready to aid his team.
If Gronkowski is able to go on Sunday, he steps into a team that is 3-0 but has struggled to get there. Quarterback Tom Brady has had a tough time transitioning to his new receivers who have let multiple passes from Brady fall to the ground.
When Gronkowski returns to the field, you can bet Brady will look for him quickly and often. A familiar, massive target on the field for Brady has to ease his stress level by quite a large margin, and Gronkowski will serve Brady’s right hand man.
This may be the week you get place Gronkowski into your starting lineup and it couldn’t come up against a much better matchup. The Falcons have been giving up big chunks of yardage to opposing receivers and let tight ends grab 18 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns.
Gronkowski will only take the field if he is fully healthy, and you can expect his stat line to jump out and aid your team in a big way if he does. Watch for how the Patriots designate his status later in the week, and if they say it’s a go, be sure to get him into your lineup.
Tristen Challe is a Fantasy Writer for Rantsports. Follow him on Twitter @TristenChalle or on Google
