Allen vs Fleener

[Bot101]

So with Fleener going to NO, it seems to be a big hit here and on Rotoworld. Now that Fleener is gone, Allen has that TE spot locked up on a high powered offense with a big contract. So who do you value more?

[Coogan Football]

Hands down Fleener.

Payton and Drew have a great track record of their TEs being great for fantasy purposes, even with old azz Ben Watson last year...Fleener owners couldn't have imagined a better outcome than this one IMO.

I'm excited for his landing spot and excited I have another Saints player to cheer for.

#WhoDat couldnt

[TheChicken]

I think you have to side with the move TE in the offence that has shown they can get decent production from the position. The size of the contract is not much of an influencing factor for me and Indy can dump Allen in 2017 for a $3m dead money hit, whereas Fleener has a $12m dead money hit in 2017 & a $4.8m dead money hit in 2018.

[pokerface40]

Fleener can't catch a cold and is one of the softest players in in the NFL. I think the 'aints panicked after losing out on Ladarius and overpaid for a guy who will consistently disappoint like he has his entire career. Sell high.

[Franky Four Fingers]

Got to go with Fleener here. Allen really hasn't done s**t since his rookie year and has a lengthy injury history to boot. Fleener should be at least a low end TE1 in the NO system. Fleener has always been the superior offensive player of the two and I don't see that changing from this point forward. Get ready to watch Allen do a lot of blocking for Luck and company.

[JSylvester87]

Big colts fan and as someone stated above, I am beyond happy fleener is gone. He is the Blaine gabbert of TEs when it comes to contact. Softest player I have ever watched. Allen is hands down the better NFL player. Just depends how the colts use him.

[KCLep20]

I've never been a huge fan of Fleener, as he does have drops and seems soft. however, if there's a team that it's OK to be a soft TE at, it's def. NOLA. Jimmy Graham didn't block while he was there, he ran routes and had Brees throwing him perfect balls. All Fleener has to do is not suck, and he should produce low end TE1 #'s.

[JJDubya]

I think Allen's ceiling is a little lower to what Cameron did in his big year in Cleveland (in a Chudzinski offense), whereas Fleener's is probably closer to what Watson did last year. Chud makes decent TEs good and good TEs great. I can't see Indy paying that much for a mere blocker. Fleener could put up some decent numbers too, but I do think it was a desperation move by the Saints, who have a pretty dismal track record in free agency. It will definitely be an interesting comparison over the course of the season, and since I have Allen shares and no Fleener (yet) I'll root for Allen.

[joeday]

The best ability is availability...Allen CANNOT stay on the field. And I get the whole thing about the drops, but he had 3 on 84 targets last season...its not like he's Mike Evans or anything. As a side note in 2015 Watson had more drops and a higher % of targets dropped...

[KMA]

This worries me a little about Fleener:

"The Colts' lack of interest and the Saints' interest made going to New Orleans an easy choice," Fleener said.

You would think if he was truly a piece worth owning, they would have made some effort to retain him. I think this speaks volumes about what they thought they had in him. It's not like he is following a hall of famer like Antonio Gates. He was up against a guy who could NEVER stay on the field. New Orleans has made a lot of questionable decisions lately (Graham, Spiller) and I think expectations should be tempered. He SHOULD be somewhat productive in that offense but people are fooling themselves if they think he is Graham v.2. I actually like Allen and his injury risk more than Fleener and his situation. Sell Fleener high if you have him. Some homer will bite.

[Dingram]

As far as fantasy, its hard not to choose Fleener here. Real life, Id take Allen 10/10 times. More of a complete TE, and excited to see how he fares in a Chud led offense.

[joeday]

This worries me a little about Fleener:

"The Colts' lack of interest and the Saints' interest made going to New Orleans an easy choice," Fleener said.

You would think if he was truly a piece worth owning, they would have made some effort to retain him. I think this speaks volumes about what they thought they had in him. It's not like he is following a hall of famer like Antonio Gates. He was up against a guy who could NEVER stay on the field. New Orleans has made a lot of questionable decisions lately (Graham, Spiller) and I think expectations should be tempered. He SHOULD be somewhat productive in that offense but people are fooling themselves if they think he is Graham v.2. I actually like Allen and his injury risk more than Fleener and his situation. Sell Fleener high if you have him. Some homer will bite.

Honestly, it doesnt shock me that the colts didnt try to retain him...HE CANNOT BLOCK! lol. Allen is the better overall TE and I think the Colts (especially with their OL woes) need a TE that has that skill set. Fleener is more of a pass catching TE and will be used as such in NO.

[Telperion]

Name the last offensive free agent the Saints have signed that has lived up to expectations.

Aaaaand go!

[bruiser]

Name the last offensive free agent the Saints have signed that has lived up to expectations.

Aaaaand go!

Lol, Ben Watson. But count me in the D Allen camp here as the better TE by skills and situation. Fleener likely to backup Josh Hill.

[Franky Four Fingers]

Most free agents find that the grass is not always greener on the other side, just the cash. The Saints have certainly had their share of FA flops but there are some success stories as well. Ben Watson is definitely the most recent one but have we forgotten about Sproles or even Brees?