Everybody knew expectations would be high for Rob Gronkowski during his second season with the New England Patriots after an impressive rookie year in 2010, but nobody could have predicted Gronk to display the type of numbers that he did in 2011–which makes him the top tight for the fantasy football 2012 season.

Gronkowski seemed nearly impossible to contain at times during the 2011 season as he caught 90 passes for 1,327 yards to go along with 17 touchdowns (NFL record for tight end). In fact, Gronkowski’s best game of the year came in the second round of the playoffs against the Denver Broncos when he caught 10 passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns (all three touchdowns were caught in the first half) as the Patriots went on to win 45-10.

Obviously, it will be difficult for Gronkowski to match the type of monstrous numbers that he put up last year, but that doesn’t mean he won’t come close considering he’s emerged into one of Tom Brady’s favorite targets in the passing game. Not to mention Gronkowski plays alongside one of the league’s top rising pass-catching tight ends in Aaron Hernandez and one of the fastest wide receivers in Wes Welker–so the Gronk has that going in his favor.

Even if he doesn’t match last season’s numbers, there’s every reason to believe Gronkowski will finish near the top of all three categories for tight ends and should be highly considered in all fantasy leagues. Gronkowski will most likely be selected in the first round in most leagues, but don’t expect him to slip past the second round.