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Redskins best served staying away from recently released TE Coby Fleener

By Jacob Camenker

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Mark Barron #26 of the Los Angeles Rams breaks up a play on Coby Fleener #82 of the New Orleans Saints during the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Mark Barron #26 of the Los Angeles Rams breaks up a play on Coby Fleener #82 of the New Orleans Saints during the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Redskins may want to consider bringing a veteran backup in for the offseason in case Jordan Reed gets hurt again. However, Coby Fleener shouldn’t be on that list.

Following the 2018 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins roster appears to be in pretty good repair. The team did a great job of filling needs, and they fixed areas that had previously been weaknesses. The defensive line and front seven look strong. The running game has been improved with the selection of Derrius Guice. And, of course, depth was added to the secondary to improve that area.

The only area that the Redskins haven’t touched much this offseason is the tight end position. Tight end isn’t necessarily a need when all their options are healthy. However, that has been rare over the course of the past few seasons.

Jordan Reed always seems to be hurt, and he missed 10 games last year and has never played a full season. Behind him, the team has Vernon Davis, who thrived as a No. 2 tight end last year, and the unproven second-year man Jeremy Sprinkle. If healthy, that trio should do well. But, if Reed misses time again, which seems more probable than not at this point, the Redskins could have depth issues.

Behind those three, the team has two players. Both Manasseh Garner and Matt Flanagan are better served as blockers, if they even challenge for a roster spot. So, bringing in a veteran to spend the offseason with the squad could be an option.

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That said, Coby Fleener was recently released by the New Orleans Saints, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. And on the surface, he could be the buy-low candidate that the Redskins need. But, a deeper dive reveals that Fleener would be a poor fit for the Redskins and has health concerns of his own.

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Over the course of his NFL career, Fleener has been, at best, an above average receiving tight end. He had his best season in 2014 when paired with the Colts and Andrew Luck, totaled 51 catches for 774 yards and eight touchdowns. However, since that time, he has only been average at best.

When Fleener went to the Saints, it was widely assumed that he would have a chance for a career year with Drew Brees at the helm. In his first season, he was productive. In his second season, he didn’t do much and lost his starting role. Playing in 11 games in 2017, Fleener caught just 22 passes for 295 yards and a couple of scores. He didn’t look great as he continued to struggle with drops, a problem that has plagued him over the course of his NFL career, and he did little to inspire hope in him as a top receiving option.

Further complicating matters is that Fleener suffered the fifth concussion of his career and was placed on Injured Reserve late in the season as a result. That means he will be a durability concern and while he may still want to return, teams will be wary of this, especially given the heightened concern about head injuries in football.

With all that said, Fleener simply wouldn’t be a good option for the Redskins. While they could use a veteran for depth and to jockey for a roster spot, Fleener is too risky to take on because of his health concerns, problems with drops, and inability to block well. They would be better off signing a different reclamation project like Crockett Gillmore or rolling with what they already have at the position.

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Alex Smith does love throwing to tight ends. And Fleener still has upside as a receiver. But at this point in time, it makes sense for the Redskins to avoid adding another tight end, unless a more talented player at the position becomes available in the coming months. Regardless, they only need a depth option at most.

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