Indianapolis Colts Select Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford 2012 NFL Draft Grade

With the 34th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts have selected Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Here is our report on Fleener:

Pros–Absolutely huge TE prospect at 6’6″, touchdown machine at Stanford, has experience in pro style offense with best QB in the country, obviously is a great outlet for Luck in the passing game, big play threat at all times…can line up in the slot and run pretty good routes…good at finding holes in zone coverage…impressive body control and ability to catch the ball in his  soft hands…

Cons–Will be 24 early in rookie season…lean build, can he hold up as a blocker at just 245 pounds? Can he handle not being top receiving option…impressive long range speed, but not necessarily dynamic off the snap…Player comparison–Marcedes Lewis

 Jesse’s player comparison: Kevin Boss (entering the league, Boss has become a very good blocking tight end since then) Fleener also is faster  and a more polished receiver, but they have that same uncommon size and long range speed.

Tony Scheffeler is another apt comparison

Round projection: late round 1, round two

NFLmocks preseason bio

Get used to hearing this guy’s name, because you will be hearing it a lot in the coming months and years. Fleener is a big tight end prospect that reminds me physically of Tony Scheffler. He has imposing size and excellent speed for his size, and he really broke out as a junior with Stanford when he had 28 receptions for 434 yards and seven touchdowns, three of which came in Stanford’s big bowl game win over Virginia Tech. His numbers won’t exactly jump out at you other than his bowl performance, but this is a guy ready to emerge as one of the country’s top tight ends. His combination of size and speed are scary for opposing defenses. He can line up as an in-line tight end, or possibly also as a wide receiver in some packages. He will be a great red zone threat and a very good target for Andrew Luck in 2011.

Pick Grade: A

This is a really solid value for the Colts and reuniting with his former teammate at Stanford, Andrew Luck. This is a good fit for a team that lost both Dallas Clark and Jacob Tamme.