Will Coby Fleener live up to lucrative contract?
The New Orleans Saints caught many by surprise when they signed tight end Coby Fleener to to a five-year deal worth $36 million. This gigantic contract surprised many people for multiple reasons.
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For one, everyone thought the Saints would use their precious cap space to add a high-impact player on defense. They did sign veterans Nick Fairley and James Laurinaitis to one-year deals, but there was plenty of more talent they could have looked at.
And for another, Fleener’s career stats don’t reflect the money he’s being paid. His best season through for years was 2014, when he had 51 catches for 774 yards and eight touchdowns. 2015 was a letdown, as he had 54 catches for 491 yards and three touchdowns.
But the big money could very well be worth it. Keep in mind that Brees made Jimmy Graham a star, and even 35-year-old Benjamin Watson enjoyed a 2015 season, reeling in 74 catches for 825 yards and six touchdowns.
The main concern is how often Fleener will get involved. Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead will surely take plenty of targets, and rookie wideout Michael Thomas could get heavily involved in the offense as well.
Fleener knows the issue. With the Indianapolis Colts, he was in offenses that featured Reggie Wayne, Frank Gore, Donte Moncrief, T.Y. Hilton and Dwayne Allen.
It’s too early to tell, but if Brees can make Fleener a reliable redzone target the way he did with Watson and Graham, he’ll be worth every penny. Based on Brees’ success with multiple tight ends throughout the years, don’t call this a bad contract. Yet.
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