The Countdown to the Combine has been on for over a week now and so has this series which takes a look at one prospect per day until February 24th when judgment day arrives for these aspiring NFL talents with something to prove. Each piece gives an in-depth look at what NFL scouts believe the prospect has already proven and just what stones are still unturned in their trek toward the 2010 NFL Draft. The prospects chosen may seem a bit random, but these will be some of the big name players with potential boom or bust aspects to their professional football futures.

Arguably the most explosive yet refined tight end in this year’s draft class, Rob Gronkowski of Arizona Wildcats fame chose to enter the draft in January despite missing the entire 2009 campaign due to back surgery and still having two years of eligibility remaining. The questions really begin and end there for the young tight end with tremendous upside at just 20 years of age as during his two year career with the Wildcats he accumulated 75 catches and 1,197 yards with 16 touchdowns.

Obviously Gronkowski offers the full package to the team that brings him on in the draft standing at 6’6” 245lbs. he often likens himself to the NFL’s elites at the tight end position in Tony Gonzalez, Jeremy Shockey, and Antonio Gates. Check out his own words here in his latest blog entry. Probably the one thing that he will have to improve at the next level is what many tight ends struggle with in the transition to the NFL and that is his blocking. He needs to create more power at the point of attack and not allow defenders in to his body so easily on running plays.

Among the many positives that he can bring to a team, Gronkowski is tremendously versatile with the ability to line up in the slot like a Dallas Clark with the Indianapolis Colts and create mismatches on linebackers and safeties all over the field. His most impressive quality is the way he extends his hands to make catches rather than allowing the ball in to his body. Do not be surprised if in this now tight end happy, copycat league if Gronkowski’s name is called in the opening round of this year’s draft.

Remember, the Countdown to the Combine is on and a new installment will be up daily from now until the NFL Scouting Combine begins on February 24th.

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