Should the Detroit Lions take a flier on Coby Fleener?
In need of a veteran receiving tight end, should the Detroit Lions kick the tires on recent free agent and former second rounder Coby Fleener?
Many Detroit Lions fans rejoiced when the team decided to finally release tight end Eric Ebron earlier this offseason, nearly five years after he was selected 10th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Despite Ebron being unable to live up to his draft status, at the very least he provided quarterback Matthew Stafford with an occasional receiving threat from the tight end position. His exodus has left a void at the position Detroit seems ill-equipped to currently fill.
The Lions depth chart at tight end currently includes a second-year Michael Roberts and relative unknowns Brandon Barnes and Hakeem Valles. Detroit also signed free agents Luke Willson and Levine Toilolo. But both veterans are considered much better blockers than receivers.
The 6-foot-8, 265 pound Toilolo was only targeted 38 total times in the past three seasons, recording 32 catches for 430 yards and three touchdowns for the Atlanta Falcons.
After spending his first five seasons in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks, Willson posted a career-high four receiving scores last year. But the 28-year old tight end was only targeted 22 times, recording 15 receptions for 153 yards in 2017. Willson has never posted more than 22 catches in a single season as a pro.
During last month’s draft, the Lions failed to address their need at tight end. Instead, they signed DeAndre Goolsby as an undrafted free agent out of Florida. Goolsby recorded 38 catches for 342 yards and three touchdowns his junior season with the Gators. But his senior season was cut short due to a leg injury.
If the regular season started today, Roberts would likely be the favorite to led their current crop of tight ends in receptions for 2018. Coming out of Toledo, the fourth rounder posted 45 receptions for 533 yards and a whopping 16 scores as a senior.
But the Lions opted to develop Roberts slowly in year one, limiting him to just 220 offensive snaps. The 24-year old recorded only four catches for 46 yards as a rookie.
Due to Robert’s lack of experience, and the fact he was suspended for the final game of his rookie campaign for oversleeping, the Lions are likely very open to idea of finding a veteran receiving tight end via free agency.
Earlier this week, the New Orleans Saints released former second round selection tight end Coby Fleener. The 29-year old signed a five-year, $36 million to join the Saints just two years ago. The 6-foot-6, 251 pound veteran tight end averaged 52 receptions for 626 yards and five touchdowns from 2013 to 2016.
Last season, Fleener failed to find a place on the Saints’ high powered offense and was limited to playing in only 11 games due to a concussion injury, something he’s struggled with during his NFL career.
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In a waning market, Coby Fleener could be a player the Detroit Lions take a flier on with a one-year, team-friendly veteran minimum deal. But Fleener’s troubling injury history, age and lack of significant production are all red flags that could easily have the Lions’ brass looking elsewhere to fill their needs.