When discussing the main reason for the New England Patriots’ dominance in the AFC East, everyone correctly points to the edge quarterback Tom Brady has provided in powering the Pats to 12 division titles over the past 14 seasons. While the defense had a lot to do with those titles during the early and mid 2000s, tight end Rob Gronkowski has been an enormous factor in New England’s continued success since his rookie season in 2010.

Gronk is not only one of the best players on his team, he is among the very best in the entire NFL. Injuries have been the only thing that have slowed him over his first five seasons. During those five seasons, it’s been a simple formula for the Patriots: When Gronk is on the field they rank as a top offense; when he isn’t, the Pats just haven’t been the same. Gronk suffered numerous injuries to his forearm that required surgeries in 2012, then blew out his right knee late in the 2013 season. Those season-ending injuries stifled New England’s chances for a Super Bowl title.

As he recovered and rehabbed his knee, the Patriots eased Gronk back during the early portion of the 2014 season. During this time, the Pats struggled mightily on offense and sputtered to a 2-2 start. However, once Gronk was deemed 100 percent, the Pats were a different offense, rolling through the remainder of the season on their way to claiming another Super Bowl title.

When healthy, Gronk has everything you look for in a tight end. He’s big, fast, agile, possesses great hands and is extremely physical as a blocker, route runner and while running after the catch. An underrated quality is Gronk’s infectious personality and on-field attitude which rubs off on the rest of the team. Without Gronk, the Pats don’t have another player to draw double teams on a regular basis. At 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, Gronk also has been the team’s best deep threat over the past five seasons. His ability to threaten the deep middle of a defense, or split out wide and create mismatches, is integral in opening up the underneath routes that have been the staple of New England’s offense.

In 65 career regular season games, Gronk has 308 receptions for 4,379 yards and 55 total touchdowns. His productivity doesn’t drop off when the lights are brightest, as he’s posted 37 receptions for 527 yards and six touchdowns in seven career playoff games.

Heading into his sixth season in the NFL, Gronk is in the midst of his prime years. Most of the main stars return to the Patriots’ offense, so Gronk’s role should remain relatively unchanged. However, the Patriots did add tight end Scott Chandler, 6-foot-7, 260 pounds, in free agency to provide an enormous tandem at tight end. Chandler’s presence gives the Patriots  an option to occasionally give Gronk a breather and ease his workload, especially early in the season. Chandler also is insurance should Gronk miss more time. While no one can replace Gronk, Chandler gives the Pats a viable replacement who can help keep the offense’s production from dropping too precipitously. When on the field together, Chandler should also really benefit from the attention Gronk draws from opposing defenses.

While Jimmy Graham, now with the Seattle Seahawks, has been as dominant a receiver, he can’t match Gronkowski’s all-around talents and versatility. Gronk plays in-line, outside and is a good blocker. That versatility, combined with his physicality gives him the edge as the NFL’s top tight end.

In under five full seasons, Gronk already is seventh in all-time touchdowns for tight ends. With another big season, Gronk could move into the top three behind only Tony Gonzalez (111), and still-active Antonio Gates, who is at 99 and counting. If he can remain healthy over the next four or five seasons, Gronk will quickly climb the ranks and eventually could enter the discussion as the best tight end in NFL history.

Other Patriots Training Camp Profiles:
Malcolm Butler
Malcom Brown

Nick Sardina is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Nick onTwitter @nicksardina13, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google