Week 6 vs. Carolina
Coby Fleener had another disappointing fantasy day in Week 4, catching three-of-five targets for just 19 yards in the Saints win over the Chargers. Fleener had seemingly broken out with a 109-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Falcons the week prior, but he took a step backwards versus the Chargers. Saints tight end coach Dan Campbell did say that Fleener was “coming along” in the offense, but it remains to be seen if he’ll emerge as a viable fantasy starter moving forward.
Ranked as our TE11 for Week 6, view Fleener as a low-end TE against the Panthers. The good news is that Carolina ranks as fantasy’s No. 26 defense versus tight ends so if he were to have another big game, one would think this would be a matchup he could exploit.
Week 4 at San Diego
Coby Fleener finally busted out for his new team, hauling in seven-of-11 targets for 109 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' Week 3 loss to the Falcons. The night didn't come without some disappointments for Fleener, who also finished with two drops and was flagged for a hold when Mark Ingram had broken loose for a big run in the second half. Still, it was a positive sign for a tight end who had frustrated hopeful fantasy owners to this point.
Earlier this week Drew Brees said his "trust factor and confidence level" in Fleener continues to go up. Ranked as our TE13 for Week 4, view Fleener as a low-end TE1 against the Chargers.
Week 3 vs. Atlanta
Coby Fleener caught just two-of-eight targets for 29 yards in the Saints' Week 2 loss to the Giants. While Willie Snead and even rookie Michael Thomas have developed good chemistry with Drew Brees, Fleener isn't on the same page with his quarterback. Viewed as a potential fantasy sleeper after New Orleans signed him to a free agent deal this offseason, Fleener has disappointed in his first two weeks. Even in a plus-matchup against the Falcons in what should be a high-scoring game on Monday night, Fleener isn't a trustworthy start in Week 3. Ranked as our TE15, view Fleener as a TE2 for now.
Week 2 at New York Giants
Coby Fleener had a disastrous fantasy debut for the Saints in Week 1, catching just one-of-four targets for six yards in New Orleans loss to the Raiders. What was most troubling about Fleener's performance is that it came on the heels of offseason reports that he had trouble learning Sean Payton's playbook and getting on the same page as quarterback Drew Brees. Given the fact that Brees threw for over 400 yards and four touchdowns, yet Fleener was just 1-of-4 for six yards, those concerns came into focus in Week 1.
Ranked as our TE12 for Week 2 against a Giants team that is fantasy's No. 22-ranked pass defense, view Fleener as a boom-or-bust TE1 for Sunday in East Rutherford.
Week 1 vs. Oakland
Coby Fleener was targeted 85 times last season with the Colts, catching 54 passes for 491 yards and three touchdowns. He wound up in a perfect situation in New Orleans, where Sean Payton remains one of the best offensive play-callers in the NFL (not to mention Drew Brees is his quarterback). Even though Fleener admitted he's still adjusting to the Saints' playbook, he should take off in Payton's offense. Ranked as our TE6 for Week 1, get Fleener in your lineup against the Raiders on Sunday.
Fantasy Upside
After signing a five-year, $36 million deal this offseason, Coby Fleener figures to play a big role in the Saints' offense. Fleener has caught at least 50 passes in each of the past three seasons, but he's no longer in a timeshare with Dwayne Allen so his numbers should skyrocket. Drew Brees and Sean Payton love to use their tight ends in the passing game and it's not unrealistic to envision the Saints using Fleener in the same manner they used Jimmy Graham before trading him to Seattle. Even Ben Watson was targeted 110 times last year in New Orleans, so Fleener's fantasy stock has never been higher.
Fantasy Downside
Despite being a 6-foot-6, 251-pound catch-first tight end, Fleener often frustrated fantasy owners in Indy. After finishing as fantasy's TE6 in 2014, Fleener dropped all the way down to TE 22 last season as his targets (92 to 84), yardage (774 to 491) and touchdown (8 to 3) numbers all fell. There's also a ton of preseason hype surrounding Fleener this year, making him a prime candidate to be over-drafted.
2016 Bottom Line
Fleener is our TE4 heading into the season. We project him to catch 75 passes for 871 yards and five touchdowns, making him a solid TE1. In CBS, ESPN, MFL, NFL.com and Yahoo! leagues, Fleener is being drafted, on average, after Rob Gronkowski, Jordan Reed, Greg Olsen, Travis Kelce, Tyler Eifert and Delaine Walker. So despite the possibility that Fleener could be over hyped pre-draft, his ADP would suggest otherwise. He's a fantastic value in the seventh (12-team) or eighth (10-team) round and could explode playing in Payton's offense.
Week 15 vs. Houston
Coby Fleener had just one catch last week, emphasizing his minimum role in Indy's offense. He's not really worth fantasy consideration.
Week 14 at Jacksonville
Coby Fleener is third on the team in targets, receptions and yards, but he's not really having a stellar season. He's on pace for more receptions than a year ago, but way fewer yards and touchdowns. He's not worth considering this week.
Coby Fleener - Week 13 vs. Pittsburgh
Coby Fleener usually does something each week, but it's rarely enough to warrant fantasy consideration. He gets a decent matchup this week, but we don't expect much from the Colts tight end. He's a poor option.
Week 12 vs. Tampa Bay
Coby Fleener is pretty average when it comes to tight ends. He's had one good game this season, but that's pretty much it. If you're starting Fleener, you're getting desperate. He doesn't have a great matchup this week, either.
