Fansided

32 breakout fantasy football players for the 2016-17 NFL season

By Andrew C. Lovell

May 6, 2016; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys number one draft pick Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs drills during rookie minicamp at Dallas Cowboys headquarters at Valley Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2016; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys number one draft pick Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs drills during rookie minicamp at Dallas Cowboys headquarters at Valley Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
22 of 33
Next
Sep 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Coby Fleener (80) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Coby Fleener (80) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

New Orleans Saints – TE Coby Fleener

The Saints hardly missed Jimmy Graham in 2015. Well, the fan base likely missed him, but on the field, the New Orleans offense hardly missed a beat.

Veteran tight Benjamin Watson stepped into Graham’s shoes and performed quite nicely, finishing the season with 74 receptions for 825 yards and six touchdowns, all career highs. Watson parlayed that success into a free-agent deal with Baltimore though, leaving the Saints again with a hole to fill.

They moved quickly to sign Fleener, formerly of the Colts, to a five-year, $36 million deal. Fleener had stretches of success in Indianapolis, but was never able to put together a truly breakout season while with the Colts. His best year came in 2014, when he finished with 51 catches for 774 yards and eight touchdowns.

Similar numbers should be considered the fantasy floor for Fleener in New Orleans’ high-powered offense. If a veteran like Watson, who had been primarily known for his blocking ability before Drew Brees helped make him fantasy relevant, can post such gaudy numbers, even more will be expected of Fleener.

Monitor his production (and health) throughout the Saints’ preseason games, but it seems safe to consider him a borderline TE1 at this point.

Next: New York Giants

Home/Arizona Cardinals