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Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez Lead Tight Ends on Bleacher Report’s NFL 1,000 List

In 2011, both Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski set a new standard for tight end’s in the NFL.

The pair of Pro Bowlers amazed the football world with some spectacular shows of athleticism and record-breaking performances. Both Graham and Gronkowski broke the single-season receiving yards record by a tight end, surpassing Kellen Winslow‘s 31-year-old record of 1,290. Gronkowski did even one better by setting the touchdown record at the position as well with 17.

The two players lead Bleacher Report’s most recent installments of the NFL 1,000 list, a ranking of the top 1,000 players in football, ranking the league’s 50 best tight ends.

A pair of long reliable tight ends fall in line just after Graham and Gronk, as the Dallas Cowboys’ Jason Witten drops in at No. 3 and Tony Gonzalez of the Atlanta Falcons comes in at No. 4. Gronkowski’s Patriots teammate and receiving accomplice Aaron Hernandez rounds out the top five.

Some other big names find themselves among the top in the league, as San Diego Chargers’ Antonio Gates (No. 7), Carolina Panthers’ Jeremy Shockey (No. 12) and Green Bay Packers’ Jermichael Finley (No. 18) headline the rest of the list of tight ends.

More NFL 1,000 Rankings: Quarterbacks I Fullbacks I Left Tackles I Right Tackles I Centers I Right Guards