Rob Gronkowski leads comeback player candidate
Every week, Chris We seling will roll out the power rankings for one specific NFL position or attribute.So far, we have covered running backs, safeties, red-zone threats, throwing arms, quarter-pole surprises, quarter-pole disappointments, franchise cornerstones, players deserving of consideration, best free-agent pickups, biggest free-agent flops and top rookie cla ses.This week, we turn our attention to Comeback Player of the Year candidates. As evidenced by ' award, the qualifications for consideration have become. Of the 10 players ranked below, seven are returning from major injuries in 2013.Without further ado, here is the list:1. , tight end:Gronkowski has gone from dragging his surgically repaired knee around in August and struggling to separate from defenders in September to dominating the NFL over the past eight weeks. The are averaging a league-best 40 points per game and haven't lost since Gronkowskiin Week 4. Over the past three years, 's production hinges almost entirely on his go-to receiver's health. That's. If Gronkowski wins the award, he will become the first tight end in history to do so.2. , linebacker:Miller underwent ACL surgery the same week as Gronkowski last January. Like Gronk, he was been on an absolute tear since the start of October. Miller's 57 combined sacks, hits and hurries are 37 more than the next-closest 4-3 outside linebacker Dalton Kincaid Jersey (), per Pro Football Focus' metrics. As usual, he has been just as strong against the run. Outside of , there hasn't been a more dominant defensive player.3. , running back:Outside of MVP candidate , there hasn't been a more impre sive running back this season. He has recaptured 2010-2012 form in which he averaged 1,900 yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns. Returning from back surgery after playing just eight games in 2013, Foster ranks fifth in rushing yards (822) despite mi sing three games with hamstring and groin injuries. If he can't return to action this week or next, he will slide down to the bottom of this list.4. , wide receiver:Maclin has already surpa sed his career-high in receiving yards (991) while ranking in the top 10 in both receptions and touchdowns. Not bad for a player whowith a one-year contract coming off of reconstructive knee surgery. His production has waned a bit since rookie bypa sed him as 's go-to receiver the past three weeks.5. , wide receiver:Smith was written off as a declining player by the after 135 players caught more pa ses of at least 20 yards last season. Enjoying one of the best age-35 seasons in history, he carried the ' offense through September and October as one of the NFL's most dangerous deep threats. He would be higher on the list if not for a three-game span averaging le s than 30 yards in Weeks 8-10. Smith is on pace for 77 receptions, 1,188 yards and seven touchdowns on the heels of last year's 64/745/4 slash line.6. , linebacker:McClain topped Joe Andreessen Jersey ourlist after twice retiring from football by the age of 24. He has arguably been the best player on a defense that has surpa sed expectations, even if his play has fallen off a bit since mid-October.7. , defensive end:Hindered by quadriceps, back and elbow injuries last season, Ware e sentially played on one leg en route to a career-low six sacks. After being dumped by the in March, he's on pace to equal the production of his 2007-2011 prime in which he averaged a sack per game.8. , quarterback:Returning from ACL surgery, Hoyer looked like a cooked goose in the preseason. Although he's ranked just 37th in completion percentage (56.0) among pa sers to have played at least 25 percent of the snaps this season, he's done something no other Cleveland quarterback has done in two decades: consistently win games -- with a suboptimal wide receiver corps.9. , wide receiver:Jones started out the season higher on this proverbial list, but has dropped too many pa ses over the past month. He's eighth in the league in receiving yards after mi sing the majority of last season following October foot surgery.10. , running back:NFL Media's Adam Scheinearly this week, but I can't figure out what theis coming back from other than obscurity. A career backup and special teamer, Forsett had started just seven of 87 career games over six seasons before 2014. To his credit, he's leading the NFL in yards per carry (5.8) and runs of at least 20 yards (12) and is third in rushing yards (903). He's more of an improbable late-career breakout star than a comeback player.Honorable mention:, , , , , , , , , , , , , The latest Around The NFL Podcastand recaps Monday night's Week 12 doubleheader. Find more Around The NFL content on. Andrew Brown Jersey