Coby Fleener's Updated 2014 Fantasy Outlook Heading into Week 12

Indianapolis Colts tight end Coby Fleener couldn't ask for a better situation to succeed in the pros, and he's starting to live up to his gaudy label as a 2012 second-round draft pick.

Playing in an offense coordinated by his former Stanford play-caller, Pep Hamilton, and quarterbacked by his college roommate, Andrew Luck, everything's finally starting to click for Fleener. Now he is gaining steam as a TE1 fantasy commodity ahead of a favorable Week 12 matchup versus the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Fleener hauled in seven receptions in as many targets for 144 yards in Sunday's loss to the New England Patriots, benefiting from the attention other weapons such as Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton attract.

After the game, Fleener acknowledged that those two were zeroed in on by the stout Patriots secondary, via The Shelbyville News' Ross Flint:

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Some nights, some guys are going to be more productive than others just because that's how it goes and depending on defensive scheme, that's how it will come out. They wanted to take away T.Y. and Reggie and we understand that some teams are going to do that. Some teams are going to want to take away the run game. Fortunately, we have guys who are willing to shoulder a little more.

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Rotoworld's Josh Norris didn't even recognize Fleener amid his sensational display:

The fantasy outlook for Fleener is even more promising in light of the high-ankle sprain Colts TE Dwayne Allen suffered in the Patriots game. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that news and also alluded to the loss of running back Ahmad Bradshaw:

Colts.com's Kevin Bowen reports that Bradshaw has a fractured fibula, so the rushing attack will have to lean on Trent Richardson and Daniel Herron for the remainder of the season.

The breakout Week 11 performance for Fleener comes on the heels of a prior outing in which he had four catches, 77 yards and a touchdown. Since he already has innate chemistry with Luck, there's little reason to doubt Fleener moving forward despite an underwhelming start to his NFL career.

Presuming Allen is out for a while too, it's feasible that Fleener can become among the most productive pass-catchers at his position in the entire NFL. Any fantasy owners struggling to find solutions at the tight end or flex spots should scoop up Fleener as soon as possible.

Despite the presence of former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley as head coach, Jacksonville has a weak defense against both the run and the pass, ranking 26th in the league in both categories.

AJ Mast/Associated Press

That should open up a lot of complementary football and a steady supply of big plays for the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Look for Fleener to be among the chief beneficiaries, as he led the team in targets in Week 10 and made the most of his chances in Week 11.

The schedule continues to be favorable from here on out too.

Following Week 12's AFC South showdown with the Jags, Indy gets Washington at home. Washington features a QB in Robert Griffin III who appears to be confirming prior reports of alienating himself from the team.

Then comes a road trip to take on the Cleveland Browns, whose front seven is banged up and likely won't be able to pressure Luck.

The Houston Texans are still in the AFC South hunt and could pose a challenge in the Colts' home finale, but Indianapolis exploded for 24 first-quarter points the last time those two teams met—and that was on the road.

Road games at Dallas and Tennessee end the year. Neither of those defenses is elite, so Luck and the Colts' top-ranked passing attack look to be in good shape to continue lighting up the scoreboard. That is good news for Fleener fantasy owners because his role is only bound to increase under the current personnel travails spawned by injuries.