Yahoo Sports NFL on Rob Gronkowski
From the article
Gronkowski recently told a story where he said the Ravens were going to pick him at #25 overall in 2010 draft, likely their top option once Bryant was taken. Instread of drafting Gronk once they were on the clock, the Broncos traded up with the Ravens to take that pick and draft Tim Tebow. Later, in the second round, the Ravens were prepared to take Gronk once again at #43 overall, probably thrilled that he had fallen so far after prepping to take him with the 25th pick. Instead, history will remember the Patriots swooping at 42, drafting the tight end.
STACKED’s take
Gronk nearly drafted by Ravens twice in 2010; became Patriots dynasty cornerstone.
Gronkowski was nearly drafted by the Ravens twice in 2010. First, the Ravens were prepared to select him at No. 25 overall after Dez Bryant was taken, but the Broncos traded up to take that pick and draft Tim Tebow instead. In the second round, the Ravens were again ready to draft Gronk at No. 43 overall, but the Patriots selected him at No. 42. Gronkowski went on to become possibly the greatest tight end in NFL history and a cornerstone of the Patriots' dynasty. The source speculates that Joe Flacco and the Ravens could have accomplished much more with such a dominant tight end—a favorite target position for Flacco—and that Gronk's run-blocking prowess would have fit perfectly with Baltimore's system. The Ravens' failure to land Gronk represents one of the most impactful near-misses in franchise history.
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