2012 NFL Draft: Why Coby Fleener Makes Sense for the 49ers

Stanford tight end Coby Fleener has been getting a lot of attention with the draft rapidly approaching in April. The NFL has developed into a passing league and athletic pass-catching tight ends are at a premium now more than ever. When we consider the top passing teams in the league, we think of Green Bay, New Orleans and New England -- all of which have dynamic tight ends.

The 49ers find themselves in a peculiar situation because while most teams look to upgrade both sides of the ball in the offseason, I think San Francisco has little to improve on when it comes to the defense. But I suppose you can always get better.

However, with this in mind, the 49ers can focus more on loading up on offense and simply retaining the defense of last year. Now, this isn't fantasy football or Madden 12 dynasty mode with the salary cap turned off; this situation has to be dealt with reasonably.

It's been reported that San Francisco will look to add a receiver in both free agency and the draft. As most of us know, this years draft is deep in cornerbacks and wide receivers, where the 49ers could find a gem or two in later rounds. With the 49ers picking at No. 30 in the first round, their best course of action may be to take the best player available who also fills a need.

Enter Coby Fleener.

The 6'6 mammoth beast out of Stanford has provided dynamic plays time and time again during his collegiate career, and could be as productive in the NFL within the right system. What would be special about drafting Fleener with the 30th overall pick is that San Francisco would not be adding strictly a tight end, but a complete playmaker.

With Stanford, Fleener lined up at the tight end position but was able to split out wide as well. He has the frame to shield the ball from defenders and turn a 10-yard dig route into something much more. It is also well documented that Fleener can run all the routes and is especially dangerous in the middle of the field.

With all this, we still have yet to mention that 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh was Fleener's coach at Stanford and knows him quite well. All the combine footage Harbaugh needed to see happened in front of him during the 2011 Orange Bowl when Fleener reeled in 3 touchdowns on 6 receptions, with 173 yards in a win over Virginia Tech.

So, 49ers fans, I want you to tell me that you wouldn't want this guy paired up with an elite tight end in Vernon Davis. Arguably the most feared tight end tandem in the league is made up of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, but I believe they would be officially overtaken if San Francisco selects Fleener. They run a tight end-friendly system with the west coast offense in the Bay, similar to New England's, and the possibilities are limitless with the kind of versatility Fleener offers teams.

The third-down and red-zone issues could become a thing of the past.

Right away, the rebuttals will be that San Francisco should select a cornerback or guard, or maybe even a receiver. To quickly dismiss those, I believe the offensive line is set with Adam Snyder at the right guard position and Alex Smith would need less time in the pocket with a guy like Fleener constantly ready for a jump ball.

The cornerback position is looking up with the development of Chris Culliver, Tarell Brown and Tremaine Brock. Carlos Rogers may also still re-sign. The 49ers need weapons and with the 30th overall pick, Fleener is a great place to start.

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