Welker No. 23, Gronk No. 21 on Top 100
June, 13, 2012
6/13/12
9:04
PM ET
By
Field Yates | ESPNBoston.com
A pair of Patriots offensive players, wide receiver Wes Welker and tight end Rob Gronkowski, were voted to the Top 100 Players for 2012 as elected by their peers and announced on NFL Network on Wednesday night.
Welker, who paced the NFL with 122 catches in 2011, was voted No. 23 on the list, making him the ninth wide receiver thus far to appear in the top 100. He has been involved in long-term contract talks this offseason, although he agreed to sign his franchise tender for 2012, ensuring him of a $9.5 million guaranteed salary. Welker’s ranking marks a rise from 2011, when he was voted No. 50 overall.
Gronkowski, who was recently inked to a contract extension that could keep him in New England through the 2019 season, was the final player announced on Wednesday night’s unveiling, landing at the 21st spot overall.
The record-setting tight end enjoyed a meteoric rise in 2011 that has led to many regarding him as the top player at his position in all of football. Fellow third-year tight end Jimmy Graham, who led all tight ends with 99 catches in 2011, has not yet appeared on the list.
The additions of Welker and Gronkowski bring the Patriots' total player tally to four, with quarterback Tom Brady -- who topped the list in 2011 -- likely to land somewhere in the top 20 in the coming weeks.
Vince Wilfork (No. 81) and Logan Mankins (No. 64) had previously been announced.
To watch the video segments for every Patriot who has been revealed on the list thus far, click HERE.
Welker, who paced the NFL with 122 catches in 2011, was voted No. 23 on the list, making him the ninth wide receiver thus far to appear in the top 100. He has been involved in long-term contract talks this offseason, although he agreed to sign his franchise tender for 2012, ensuring him of a $9.5 million guaranteed salary. Welker’s ranking marks a rise from 2011, when he was voted No. 50 overall.
Gronkowski, who was recently inked to a contract extension that could keep him in New England through the 2019 season, was the final player announced on Wednesday night’s unveiling, landing at the 21st spot overall.
The record-setting tight end enjoyed a meteoric rise in 2011 that has led to many regarding him as the top player at his position in all of football. Fellow third-year tight end Jimmy Graham, who led all tight ends with 99 catches in 2011, has not yet appeared on the list.
The additions of Welker and Gronkowski bring the Patriots' total player tally to four, with quarterback Tom Brady -- who topped the list in 2011 -- likely to land somewhere in the top 20 in the coming weeks.
Vince Wilfork (No. 81) and Logan Mankins (No. 64) had previously been announced.
To watch the video segments for every Patriot who has been revealed on the list thus far, click HERE.





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