With The First Pick
Fansided

Patriots will have plenty of options to replace Gronkowski in 2019 NFL Draft

By Bryan Perez

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 03: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots warms up prior to Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 03: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots warms up prior to Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Irv Smith Jr. #82 of the Alabama Crimson Tide carries the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Irv Smith Jr. #82 of the Alabama Crimson Tide carries the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Irv Smith | Alabama

Smith has flown a bit under the radar during draft season because of all the attention paid to the Iowa tight ends. But man, this dude can play.

Smith had 710 yards and seven touchdowns for Alabama in 2018 and plays the position like the kind of well-rounded weapon teams want to spend a first-round pick on. He ran an impressive 4.63 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, a time that matches his speed on tape.

Smith is a late-first-round prospect who could still be on the board when the Patriots are on the clock. It would be a shock if New England doesn’t draft him if he’s there at the end of Round 1. And if they do, he’d be an instant starter who won’t take long to develop chemistry with Tom Brady.

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