All of the pieces were in place for immediate fantasy success. There was a good quarterback with several years of prior experience, there were other playmakers on the roster so defenses couldn't key in on him, and his college offensive coordinator joined the team in his second season.
Yet none of that mattered for Indianapolis Colts tight end Coby Fleener, as he has largely been a fantasy no-show since being drafted in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft. Until now, that is.
Fleener is coming off the best game of his young career in which he caught seven balls for 144 yards. He already has matched last year's four touchdown total in only 10 games. His yards per catch are up to 15.1, good for 21st in the league and ahead of guys such as Odell Beckham Jr., Kelvin Benjamin and Randall Cobb.
Yes, it seems as if Fleener is finally emerging as the tight end the Colts thought they were getting when they drafted him. What's changed? Something that has nothing to do with catching the football.
"Fleener's blocking – likely still his greatest weakness – has improved," wrote Zak Keefer of the Indy Star. "He hasn't allowed a single sack in 486 snaps this season, and he's yielded only one quarterback hit and two hurries."
Matt Hasselbeck said that "he blocks as well as Jimmy Graham and Antonio Gates, he's one of those guys, and those guys are great players."
His improved blocker has provided him with a bigger role in the offense and a significant increase in playing time. That role should only increase with the recent ankle injury suffered by fellow tight end Dwayne Allen.
ESPN's Mike Wells expects a big fantasy day from Fleener this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"With the running game taking a hit due to Ahmad Bradshaw (6 TD receptions) being out the rest of the season and tight end Dwayne Allen (7 TD receptions) unlikely to play with an ankle injury, fellow tight end Coby Fleener is a sleeper against Jacksonville. He's coming off of a career-high 144 receiving yards against New England on Sunday. One of the reasons Fleener is getting more snaps is because he's "better than he's ever been in the run game," coach Chuck Pagano said. Tight ends earn playing time by blocking well, so it looks like he's ready for an expanded role."
