Coby Fleener Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections
Coby Fleener ruled out for Week 13
Fleener has been a non-factor on the Saints offense this season averaging 2.5 targets per game while playing 31% of the snaps over the past seven games, so his absence shouldn't change a whole lot. Josh Hill and Michael Hoomanawanui will take over Fleener's vacated playing time but they've only combined for 14 receptions all season. Quarterback Drew Brees will continue to focus on Michael Thomas and his running backs, Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara; the trio has combined for 58% of Brees' targets. Thomas alone has maintained a 27% market share and he's efficiently hauled in 69% of his looks. While he's been very consistent all season, he's only found the end zone three times. Part of the problem is his lack of usage in the red zone, he's third on the team with just seven looks inside the 20-yard line, behind both Kamara (13) and Ingram (8). He'll face a Panthers defense giving up the seventh-most receiving touchdowns to WRs (1.0/g), which could help him find the paint.
Long-Shot GPP Play for Week 6
I hate cheap tight ends more than I usually this week, but I will take a shot or two on Coby Fleener. I like his price and the matchup, but I'm not too crazy about the targets he's receiving. That said, I do love the red zone work Fleener gets from Drew Brees in their time together, but it still doesn't feel all that exciting to go here, especially when you factor in likely high ownership. Thing is, tight ends are the way to attack Detroit, as they tend to funnel everything to the middle with that zone D. In (primarily easy) matchups so far, the Lions are still 24th in fantasy points allowed to the position, and Fleener is a better TE than most they've faced. My interest here will depend entirely on projected ownership, because I see the potential upside in this situation, but I don't want to lock in a chalky Fleener, even in a good spot.
High Upside Punt Option at TE
Fresh off a 5-54-1 performance against a tough Minnesota defense on Monday Night Football, Fleener should once again be a favorite target of Drew Brees with New England likely selling out to stop Michael Thomas. Despite routinely burning many who rostered him last year, Fleener's production nearly doubled in home games which coincides with Drew Brees drastic home/road splits. In a game that features two pass-first offenses, Fleener and his very attractive price will certainly be on my radar with many likely opting to take the "wait and see" approach with him.
Too Much Value to Pass Up at Tight End on DraftKings
Everyone's favorite tight end to roster (where is the sarcasm font?) is in a great spot this weekend in what expects to be a shootout against the Patriots. And at only $3,100 on DraftKings, I find it very hard to believe that Coby Fleener won't be a lock for my cash game roster. With Willie Snead still out serving a suspension, it is reasonable to expect at least a few more targets to trickle to Fleener. That certainly seemed to be the case in Week 1 in which Fleener saw six targets against the Vikings that he turned into five receptions, 54 yards, and a touchdown. Probably even more encouraging was that he was targeted three times in the red zone in that game. Fleener put together an even better performance when Snead missed last year's Week 3 matchup against the Falcons. In that game, Fleener pulled in seven receptions (on a whopping 11 targets) for 109 yards and a touchdown. That is probably too small of a sample size to put too much stock into. However, what I am certain of is that Fleener gives me plenty of salary relief at $3,100 and gets me access to the highest o/u game on the board in Week 2. Lock him into your cash game lineup on DraftKings.
A Not-So-Hairy Situation
Perhaps best known for his long locks of hair, Coby Fleener isn't donning the long mane after cutting it off for charity last fall (he's also cut it off in the past as a sign of solidarity when Chuck Pagano was battling cancer in Indianapolis). He enters this weekend with a cheap price tag and enormous upside in the game that has the highest total of the week. He's not a cash game option, but with the Patriots likely to be focusing their attention on Michael Thomas, the middle of the field and red zone opportunities should be there for Fleener. Multiple TDs are a very real possibility, and while Fleener might be a bit chalky, I have no interest in fading any part of this game. Fleener could end up as the top point-per-dollar play that comes out of this anticipated shootout.
Michael Thomas officially INACTIVE Sunday
Thomas (foot) will not play this afternoon against Tampa Bay. His absence will provide extra targets for Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead, and Coby Fleener. The Buccaneers' defense has been playing well recently. They've allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers per game over the past four weeks. Willie Snead has a better matchup than Cooks; he'll face Vernon Hargreaves, who has a 50.9 PFF grade, and Cooks has Brent Grimes, who has an 81.5 score.
Josh Hill suffers broken fibula
Hill had been taking over as the dominant TE in terms of number of snaps seen with the Saints offense but broke his fibula yesterday and will likely miss the remainder of the season. Coby Fleener will obviously see an increased role with Hill out.
The Saints are at home this week - you know what that means!
Anytime the Saints play at home, DFS players need to pay special attention as it truly is the Coors Field of the NFL. There is no line on the game yet, most likely due to the uncertainty revolving Panthers QB Cam Newton (who most expect to clear the concussion protocol and play in a key game for the team), but it would certainly be the highest over/under of the week and rightfully so. The average points scored over the last 10 games in New Orleans is 65.8. It gets even better if you remove the first three games from last season (average was 47.7 in those games) as the average climbs to 73.6 points per game over those 7 games. Even removing the 101 point outburst against the Giants last season, you still have a 69 ppg output over six games. Those are some serious points being scored and that usually equates to fantasy goodness. The Saints are 30th in total defense DVOA, 25th in pass defense DVOA, and 24th (Run)/32 (Pass) in RB DVOA. This makes Cam Newton (if he goes) an elite play along with his primary receiving threats Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen. Whether Jonathan Stewart plays will determine which RB's to use but Cameron Artis-Payne definitely flashed upside last night scoring two TD's. The Panthers defense isn't as elite as it was last season ranking 12th in total defense DVOA. They are more vulnerable to the pass (19th in DVOA) which aligns to opportunities for Drew Brees, Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead, and Michael Thomas. With the Panthers ranking 27th in TE DVOA, Coby Fleener is once again an interesting option. As is always the case with a Saints home game, ownership of these players will be higher than normal so you'll need to account for that when constructing your rosters.
Josh Hill out against Falcons
The Saints' tight end had been questionable all week with an ankle injury. Coby Fleener will look to finally have his breakout game against a susceptible Falcons pass defense that Football Outsiders ranks 30th in the league. Drew Brees has said the issue may be due to lack of time working together, but has expressed confidence that they would start to connect sooner rather than later. The Saints want to get their new tight end more involved with the offense, and he did manage 8 targets last week. If there was ever a game for Fleener to establish himself as a strong weapon in the New Orleans offense, a home game vs Atlanta might be one of the best.
Saints WR Michael Thomas listed as questionable but should play
Saints' rookie WR Michael Thomas is questionable for Sunday's game with an ankle injury but reports inidcate that he should play. Be sure to check back when inactives are announced. If Thomas sits, it would open up more targets for Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead, and TE Coby Fleener. The Raiders at Saints game offers the highest over/under of the weekend at 52. An upgraded outlook for Cooks, Snead, and Fleener would certainly be welcome news for those looking for an option to stack with Drew Brees.