Coby Fleener to Colts: Video Highlights, Scouting Report and Analysis

Andrew Luck dominated the coverage of Stanford draft prospects this year, but another member of the Cardinal emerged as the top option at his position during the draft postseason. Coby Fleener was a lethal downfield threat for Luck with 10 touchdowns and 667 yards in his senior season. With only 34 receptions, that is almost a 20-yard-per-catch average, outstanding for a tight end. Fleener's 4.5 40 speed and 37" vertical in a 6'6" 247 lb. frame will create mismatches no matter who tries to cover him on defense.

Scouting reports reveal that Fleener is not a typical two-way tight end and that his physical gifts are not comprehensive:

Pro Football Weekly:

"Positives:

Excellent body length, leaping ability and catching radius — can climb the ladder and take the ball away from defensive backs. Outstanding athlete with the competitive playing speed to scream up the seam and threaten defenses vertically — big-play ability was accentuated in the 2011 Orange Bowl vs. Virginia Tech. Deceptively eats cushion with smooth strides and can get on top of coverage. Fluid in-air adjustments. Well-versed in a pro-style offense. Highly competitive. Has an ingrained Midwestern work ethic, takes instruction well and has solid overall character. 

Negatives:

Very lean build with little bulk. Average physicality and core strength — underpowered blocker. Back injury has affected lifting and requires close scrutiny — always could be restricting as a blocker. Has buildup speed and is not overly crafty in his routes changing direction or popping out of his breaks.

Summary:

A pass-catching weapon capable of contributing readily in a slot role, Fleener compares favorably to Carolina Panthers TE Greg Olsen and can become a formidable big-play receiving threat if he can stay healthy.  

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Wes Bunting, National Football Post:

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Fires off the ball low and doesn't waste any motion getting into his routes. Knows how to use a subtle head/shoulder fake in order to set up defenders and does a nice job changing gears as well. Accelerates quickly down the field, tracks the football well and is coordinated enough to adjust. Also, displays good fluidity and balance on his sharply breaking routes. Stems his route well, is sudden/quick footed in tight areas and displays burst out of his breaks. Does a nice job using his strong hands and long arms well in order to separate vs. defenders who want to get physical. Finds soft spots well underneath and isn't afraid to work the middle of the field. 

Isn't used a ton as an in-line guy in the run game. More of a motion/move tight end who looks natural in space pulling into the second level and hitting a moving target. Doesn't do a great job breaking down however, gets a bit overextend at times into blocks, but can reach defenders off his frame. Has the ability to gain leverage in the run game, but just lacks the great strength in his lower half at this stage to routinely get a push. However, his strength should improve with time. Displays natural balance in pass protection on the rare occasions they do keep him in and can hold his own reaching the corner and anchoring initially with some consistency on the edge when helping with the double

Impression: An impressive pass catcher who can win both down the field and underneath vs. man coverage. Has the frame and flexibility to develop into a solid blocker as well and looks like a future starting caliber NFL TE.

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Tight end used to be one of the toughest positions to make an early impact at in the NFL because of the need for young players to basically learn two positions: receiver and offensive lineman. With the "joker" tight end position coming into vogue, players like Fleener will get a chance to make plays from day one on passing downs, much like New England TE Aaron Hernandez.

Fleener may never be an every-down tight end who helps his offensive tackles and opens holes in the running game, but in a league that continues to emphasize the pass, he might be just as important in a high-octane air attack. A Jimmy Graham/Rob Gronkowski trajectory might be asking too much, but Fleener can still be one of the most productive receiving tight ends in the league by the end of his second season.

Given that he'll be joining his college teammate Andrew Luck in Indianapolis—not to mention the Colts' traditional dependence on tight ends in the passing game—Fleener is a wonderful fit on both sides.