NFL Notes: Rob Gronkowski, Buccaneers, Chargers, Jets

Rob Gronkowski

• Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (back) tells ESPN that he’ll be “ready to roll” when the offseason workout program gets underway in the coming weeks.
• Last night, Gronkowski made an appearance at Wrestlemania, despite undergoing a season-ending back surgery last year. Pro Football Talk reports that Gronkowski did, however, discuss his cameo in advance with the Patriots and the team did not oppose it.

Buccaneers

• The Buccaneers will work out USF receiver Rodney Adams on Monday during their local prospects day. (Greg Auman)

Chargers

• Eric D. Williams of ESPN writes that he would be surprised if the Chargers took a receiver in the first three rounds.
• Although Williams admits that they sustained a number of injuries at the position last year and he really likes the versatility of Eastern Washington’s Cooper Kupp.
• Williams mentions that he thought veteran C Nick Mangold made sense for the Chargers, but they appear committed to giving second-year players Max Tuerk and Spencer Pulley an opportunity to compete for starting jobs.

Jets

Jets HC Todd Bowles explained last week that he believes DE Muhammad Wilkerson was playing hurt last year, which is why his production took a step a back.

“Hopefully, if he’s healthy, I expect him to be back to the Muhammad that he normally is,” Bowles said.

“I’m sure he played hurt most of the year,” Bowles said. “We had to give him some off-days. Usually, those things take about a year-and-a-half to come back from. He came back early and gutted it out. It shows the kind of warrior he is. Hopefully, he’s gotten better and he can go back to being himself.”

Rich Cimini of ESPN points out that Wilkerson’s contract includes no fully guaranteed money after the 2017 season, which means he could be entering a make-or-break season with the Jets. In fact, Cimini mentions that designating Wilkerson as a post-June 1 release would free up $17 million.