How many TDs will Gronk catch this year? Over/Under: 8

The Over/Under series is moving right along at Patriots Life and today we are going to take a look at Gronk's touchdown over/under.

Gronkowski has been in the NFL since 2010, and every year he is healthy, he lights up the competition with his natural ability to play the game of football. But Gronkowski is coming back from a severe injury this year, and has been limited lately in his ability to perform drills and contact with other players.

Over/Under: 8 Touchdowns
Prediction: Over 8 Touchdowns

I firmly believe that Gronk will get more than eight touchdowns this year, especially considering he is wearing more machinery than a robot. When Gronk stays healthy he is un-stoppable. Add in his size and speed and he is someone that the Patriots can rely on to be consistent.

There is one way though that will keep him from 8 touchdowns, and that is the beginning of the year. If Gronk's ACL is deemed to be not be healthy enough to play (which I guarantee will be either a game time decision or a decision made within 48 hours of the game) then he will miss at least a game or two. Gronkowski also did not play at all this preseason, missing all four pre-season games to limit his chance of re-injuring his ACL or doing anymore damage to his already healing body.

As far as the recent TE transactions, I don't see them as any reason to be worried about Gronk's ability to be ready for week one. The Patriots always have a reason. Gronk may be on light duty for the first few weeks but it doesn't mean he won't be ready.

All that said, Gronk is still an on-field presence and a force to be reckoned with. Even though Dobson has seen a lot of receptions this pre-season, once Brady has Gronk out there and performing, the whole game changes. Just take a look below at his career stats. Keep in mind that he was hurt in 2013.



- Joshua Powers
@jmano33