He's been a TE1 (top 12) in three of the past four seasons. He was the 12th highest scoring TE last year despite being only 18th in receptions. He's in the prime of his career at 28 years old and plays in one of the NFL's most prolific offenses. He is a physically imposing presence on the field with the tools to be top 5 at his position.
And yet Coby Fleener is roundly viewed as an afterthought in this year's drafts. Examining most of the 81 experts on Fantasy Pros, I'm wondering why so many knowledgeable people place him outside the top 16. Looking at his TE-22 ADP and 175 overall ADP, I'm left completely dumbfounded. I write occasionally about blind spots--that just because someone's on TV or has a daily column read by millions, it doesn't mean they take all obvious factors into account. Players fall through the cracks--often when no one's reporting on them.
I guarantee that if a major sports news outlet ran a story today that Fleener "is working on developing more chemistry with Drew Brees," his ADP would pop into the 18-20 range in a few days. And if someone notable wrote how Fleener's erratic 2016 season is not his new norm, but rather a stumbling block on a career in ascension, his ADP would spike further.
Fleener is a terrific tight end who isn't going anywhere. He's in year 2 of a five-year, $36 million contract, half of which is guaranteed. The playmaking talent gap between him and New Orleans TEs Josh Hill and Michael Hoomanawanui is monumental. Particularly with near-elite WR Brandin Cooks gone, Fleener will be expected to step up--to play the prominent role the Saints expected when they signed him.
To think he'll regress from last season's 631/3 line is shortsighted. At minimum, expect a 750/5 line, leading to top 10 TE production. In my 12-team league draft this month, I put faith in the shortsightedness of others, taking him in the 10th round after 15 TEs were off the board. I'm still shaking my head in disbelief. . . .
And yet Coby Fleener is roundly viewed as an afterthought in this year's drafts. Examining most of the 81 experts on Fantasy Pros, I'm wondering why so many knowledgeable people place him outside the top 16. Looking at his TE-22 ADP and 175 overall ADP, I'm left completely dumbfounded. I write occasionally about blind spots--that just because someone's on TV or has a daily column read by millions, it doesn't mean they take all obvious factors into account. Players fall through the cracks--often when no one's reporting on them.
I guarantee that if a major sports news outlet ran a story today that Fleener "is working on developing more chemistry with Drew Brees," his ADP would pop into the 18-20 range in a few days. And if someone notable wrote how Fleener's erratic 2016 season is not his new norm, but rather a stumbling block on a career in ascension, his ADP would spike further.
Fleener is a terrific tight end who isn't going anywhere. He's in year 2 of a five-year, $36 million contract, half of which is guaranteed. The playmaking talent gap between him and New Orleans TEs Josh Hill and Michael Hoomanawanui is monumental. Particularly with near-elite WR Brandin Cooks gone, Fleener will be expected to step up--to play the prominent role the Saints expected when they signed him.
To think he'll regress from last season's 631/3 line is shortsighted. At minimum, expect a 750/5 line, leading to top 10 TE production. In my 12-team league draft this month, I put faith in the shortsightedness of others, taking him in the 10th round after 15 TEs were off the board. I'm still shaking my head in disbelief. . . .