[socalstanfan1]

I guess I would describe myself as surprised, but not particularly bothered.  It seems to me that Fleener would be well worth investing a first round draft choice.  But perhaps two things might be going on.  First, there may be some sense that on the blocking side of the TE skill set Fleener needs some work.  Occasionally we read these things, though sometimes stories emphasize how much he has improved in this area, and others write that he still has work to do.  Sometimes group-think takes over and everyone comes to believe that, as much success as a guy had in college, he won't do it in the pros.  There certainly have been lots of cases of that over the years.  Maybe scouts and GMs are just looking too closely for flaws.  OR, maybe a consensus is emerging in the NFL that you can wait to pick up high quality TEs in later rounds (as your post indicated).  Why spend a first round choice if you are pretty convinced you can wait to the second or third round and get a guy of similar quality? 

I don't really know the answer to why Fleener wasn't chosen, but I doubt any kind of conspiracy or discrimination, the types of things that WOULD really bother me.  Fleener will get his chance, and I think he'll be great in the NFL.

[socalstanfan1]

I guess I would describe myself as surprised, but not particularly bothered.  It seems to me that Fleener would be well worth investing a first round draft choice.  But perhaps two things might be going on.  First, there may be some sense that on the blocking side of the TE skill set Fleener needs some work.  Occasionally we read these things, though sometimes stories emphasize how much he has improved in this area, and others write that he still has work to do.  Sometimes group-think takes over and everyone comes to believe that, as much success as a guy had in college, he won't do it in the pros.  There certainly have been lots of cases of that over the years.  Maybe scouts and GMs are just looking too closely for flaws.  OR, maybe a consensus is emerging in the NFL that you can wait to pick up high quality TEs in later rounds (as your post indicated).  Why spend a first round choice if you are pretty convinced you can wait to the second or third round and get a guy of similar quality? 

I don't really know the answer to why Fleener wasn't chosen, but I doubt any kind of conspiracy or discrimination, the types of things that WOULD really bother me.  Fleener will get his chance, and I think he'll be great in the NFL.