Heading into the 2010 NFL draft, tight end Rob Gronkowski was considered a good prospect, but no one viewed him as the future superstar he became. No one, that is, except one member of the Raiders’ staff.
Some random Internet user came across a binder full of the Raiders’ 2010 draft evaluations and published many of them, including a scouting report for Gronkowski that referred to him as the “best all around player in the draft.”
The author of the scouting report is identified only as “Henry.” We’re not certain who that is, but our best bet is it’s Adam Henry, who was then the Raiders’ tight ends coach and is now the Giants’ wide receivers coach.
Calling Gronk the best all-around player in the draft was a bold statement for Henry to make. Few people agreed with that at the time; the Patriots ultimately drafted Gronk with the 42nd overall pick. But you could make a good case that Gronk is, in fact, the best player from that draft. He’s certainly the best tight end in the class (even though Jermaine Gresham was chosen 21 spots ahead of him) and he may be the best player at any position. He’s at least on a short list with Ndamukong Suh, Earl Thomas, Dez Bryant and a handful of others.
So, good job, Henry. And too bad the Raiders chose Rolando McClain with the eighth overall pick.