New Orleans Saints: How’s the future look for Coby Fleener?
Coby Fleener seemed like a good option for TE in 2016. Almost two years later, does he still have a future with the New Orleans Saints?
In 2017, the New Orleans Saints had some of the strongest position groups. One position the team sorely lacked in, however, was tight end. While Coby Fleener seemed like a solution to their problem, he didn’t do much. Looking at Fleener’s two seasons with the Saints, what’s the future look like for him in New Orleans?
Fleener was originally drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. He spent four seasons with the Colts before signing with the Saints. Since then, Fleener has been vocal about his time with Colts, mostly with negative things to say, even though he was a productive player.
His time with the Saints has been a mixed bag, so far. During the 2016-17 season, Fleener finished with over 600 receiving yards, three touchdowns and 50 receptions in 16 games. As for the 2017-18 season, Fleener saw a dip in production with less than 300 receiving yards, two touchdowns and 22 receptions in 11 games.
Fleener missed five games with a concussion, but did get some looks from Brees before he was moved to IR. The question is if his relationship with Brees coupled with his productive first season will be enough for the Saints to keep him.
In the wake of Fleener’s absence, the Saints turned to Josh Hill. Hill did basically pick up the slack and even notched a touchdown in the postseason. While he didn’t get a ton of looks from Brees, he was a good fill-in for what they needed.
Looking between Fleener and Hill, the latter is a cheaper option. Instead of keeping Fleener under contract, they could release him and pay Hill a little less. Then again, Fleener’s down season might be just that. In his third season, he could finally cement his connection with Brees and become someone he looks for.
The Saints don’t really have a lot of options at tight end, though. Many suspect they’ll go for a tight end late in the draft, and rightfully so. The team doesn’t just need an option or an injury-prone guy. They need someone who is going to be reliable and fill the hole Jimmy Graham left when he went to Seattle.
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Drafting seems like the best option as the free agency pool is sparse. It’s unlikely the team will try to get Graham back after his success in Seattle. Everything the Saints have led back to Fleener and his future with the team, though.
Keeping Fleener is a risk and one I don’t believe the Saints are willing to take. They’ll likely draft a young player and start with a clean slate.