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How Rob Gronkowski’s retirement affects 49ers’ plans in 2019 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 30: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots speaks to the media during the New England Patriots Super Bowl LIII media availability at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on January 30, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 30: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots speaks to the media during the New England Patriots Super Bowl LIII media availability at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on January 30, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski’s retirement could ultimately influence what the San Francisco 49ers do early in the 2019 NFL Draft, particularly on day two.

The San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski are already connected in more ways than one.

Most notably, the Niners’ own George Kittle took Gronkowski’s single-season record for most receiving yards for a tight end, set with 1,327 back in 2011, by posting an astounding 1,377 yards of his own last season.

Doing so with three different quarterbacks, too.

Still, Gronk might have gotten the last laugh, finishing the season with yet another Super Bowl ring. And now, as he announced on his Instagram page, he’s retiring:

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo was first to report the news.

Gronkowski retirement talk isn’t anything new, but making it official does have an impact on what the 49ers could do during the 2019 NFL Draft.

For starters, it propels the Patriots’ need for a replacement towards the top of head coach Bill Belichick’s wish list. The Pats are poised to select at No. 32 overall, and they also own two picks in Round 2 — Nos. 56 and 65 overall.

San Francisco, meanwhile, could be on the hunt for a complementary tight end to Kittle. After all, the Niners’ No. 2 tight end, Garrett Celek, had more accepted penalties against him (six) than receptions (five) in 2018.

The 49ers won’t use their top pick, No. 2 overall, on a tight end. But it wouldn’t be a shock to see general manager John Lynch consider using the team’s second rounder, No. 36 overall, on one of the many talented tight ends in this year’s class, if available.

Prospects like Alabama’s Irv Smith Jr., Stanford’s Kaden Smith, San Jose State’s Josh Oliver, and Iowa’s Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson could all be on either the Niners or Patriots’ radar.

New England could pick off one of the tight ends Lynch and Co. are eyeing, perhaps doing so as early as the final pick in Round 1, or with one of two late second-round picks before San Francisco’s first Round 3 selection.

The Patriots’ compensatory selection in Round 3 (No. 102 overall) is also just three selections ahead of the Niners’ fourth-round pick. So, even the day-three prospects at tight end the 49ers are considering could be gone by the time their number is called.

Next. 3 tight ends 49ers should consider in the NFL Draft. dark

Aside from all that, though, Gronk surely entertained with his on-field abilities and his never-dull personality.

Congratulations on what will surely be a Hall of Fame career.