How does Rob Gronkowski compare to the best tight ends in NFL history?

Rob Gronkowski's recent retirement after 11 seasons saw the end of a glittering career that saw him become one of the most dominant players in the NFL, but where does he rank on the list of all-time great tight ends?

Super-human athletes now occupy the position, with Tony Gonzalez pioneering a role for ex-basketballers who use their size, strength and leaping ability to create mismatches when lining up as wideouts.

The 33-year-old won four Super Bowls, three with the Patriots and one with the Buccaneers, and made five Pro Bowls.

In 2011 he registered the most touchdowns in a single season by a tight end in history with 18, and led the entire league that season with 17 receiving touchdowns.

In celebration of @RobGronkowski retiring yesterday, here is a progressive graphic of the All-Time Tight End Playoff Receiving Yard Leaders since the 1st Super Bowl!

Gronk is the only player in NFL history to record 15+ Playoff Rec TD & win 4 SB! @FieldYates @Schultz_Report pic.twitter.com/W9toNfT5pU

Unlike Gates and Gonzalez, Shannon Sharpe did manage to get the Super Bowl success that his talent deserved as he won three Lombardi Trophies - two with the Denver Broncos and one with the Baltimore Ravens.

The Dallas Cowboys veteran spent 15 seasons with America's Team and was much more in the Gronkowski mold than some of the others as a big, blocking tight end who was also a smooth route runner with a safe pair of hands.

A total of 1,228 catches in 239 games shows how good he was with his hands, as he piled up 13,046 yards and 74 touchdowns, often contested as he outmuscled his defenders while also being shifty enough off the mark to run beyond bigger defenders.

The five-time Pro Bowl selection was a star player for the Bears before