Week 13 vs. Washington Redskins
Greg Olsen had a decent day against the Saints last week, catching five of the seven balls thrown his way for 44 yards. Those aren’t big numbers by any means, but considering the wasteland of tight ends the past couple of seasons. Those are passable as fringe TE1 numbers in any given week. Olsen has steadily caught 18 balls over his past three games, though he’s failed to find the end zone since September 22nd against the Cardinals.
This week, Olsen will face a Washington defense that has been torched by tight ends this season. They rank 28th in aFPA to the position and have allowed three touchdowns to tight ends in just the last two games. He’s a must-start in a great matchup at a position without a lot of quality fantasy options.
Week 12 at New Orleans Saints
Greg Olsen hasn’t been great this year, but he’s been reasonably steady. He’s had 21 targets over his past three games and caught five balls for 57 yards against the Falcons last week. Olsen is ninth in receptions and seventh in targets among tight ends, giving him a reasonably high floor for fantasy owners just looking for stability at the position.
The Saints are tied for 15th in aFPA to opposing tight ends this season, so there’s upside for Olsen. If the Panthers are going to keep their playoff hopes alive, they’ll need to win this game, and they’ll need guys like Olsen to move the chains in order to do so. His recent targets and the fact that he operates in the weakest part of the Saints’ defense makes him a safe bet for quality numbers. We have him as a mid-tier TE1 this week.
Week 11 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Greg Olsen had a nice game last week against the Packers, catching eight passes for 98 yards. He was second on the team with 10 targets and continues to be a quality option in the passing game and a reliable safety valve for quarterback Kyle Allen. Olsen doesn’t have the same seam-stretching talent he displayed early in his career, but he’s a savvy route-runner and should be a steady option for the remainder of the season.
This week, Olsen faces a Falcons defense that actually ranks 12th in aFPA to opposing tight ends, despite giving up the sixth-most passing touchdowns this season overall. Olsen shouldn’t be considered an elite option in any week, but his steady targets make him a quality plug-and-play tight end in a league where there’s a dearth at the position. Fantasy owners should leave him in their lineups.
Week 10 at Green Bay Packers
Greg Olsen caught three passes for 40 yards last week against the Titans. He’s been held out of the end zone in all but one game this season, but he continues to be targeted with a fair amount of regularity. He’s a steady fourth behind the two starting wide receivers and Christian McCaffrey with 45 targets through the first half of the season.
This week, Olsen faces a Packers defense that ranks 24th in aFPA to opposing tight ends this season, so he should be able to find some room to work. Green Bay just gave up seven catches and 84 yards to Hunter Henry last week and Travis Kelce scored a touchdown against them the week before. While those are very talented tight ends, Olsen is still a solid receiving threat and should be worth starting in all leagues.
Week 9 vs. Tennessee Titans
Greg Olsen struggled last week against a tough 49ers defense, catching just two passes for 13 yards as the Panthers got destroyed. Olsen should fare better in more friendly matchups over the course of the season, but he’s been up-and-down this year anyway, so fantasy owners should play the matchups. He’s had only two games with double-digit fantasy points, and he’s had three games with less than four PPR points.
This week, Olsen faces a Titans defense that has been pretty stout this season but has been surprisingly vulnerable to opposing tight ends. They rank 25th in aFPA to the position and just allowed six catches and 97 yards to Hunter Henry just two weeks ago. Olsen hasn’t been consistent, but he should be able to take advantage of this matchup and is an excellent streaming option in all league formats this week.
Week 8 at San Francisco 49ers
Greg Olsen had a quality outing against the Buccaneers before the bye last week, putting up 52 yards on four receptions. It was good to see him rack up seven targets after only six combined in his previous two games, and he continues to be a reliable safety valve for whoever plays quarterback in Carolina.
This week is a tough matchup for Olsen against a 49ers defense that has been dominant this season. Only the Vikings rank higher in our aFPA to opposing tight ends, and they’ve allowed just five passing touchdowns all year. Olsen is a borderline starter since there is such a dearth of value at the position league-wide, but he’s a risky option in most leagues and if you can go with someone in a better matchup without too much drop-off in talent, definitely consider it.
Week 6 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (London Game)
Greg Olsen had an extremely disappointing game against the Jaguars last week, ending up with zero catches on only two targets. After 25 targets through the first three games, Olsen has only six over his past two. It’s concerning to see him targeted so few times, but he remains the starting tight end in Carolina and a quality safety valve if Kyle Allen decides to use him. Allen threw him a pair of touchdowns against the Cardinals in Week 3, so the connection has worked before.
This week, Olsen plays a Buccaneers defense that he was able to find room against in Week 2, catching six of nine balls thrown his way for 110 yards. Only the Cardinals rank lower than Tampa Bay in aFPA to opposing tight ends this year, and Olsen should be a quality option for owners looking for help at the position. We have him ranked inside our top-10 this week.
Week 5 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Greg Olsen had a bad game last week with only two catches and five yards. However, he’s been targeted an average of 7.3 times per game so far this season and has had double-digit fantasy points in two of four games. Olsen is a trusted target in the offense and quarterback Kyle Allen showed he can use him when he caught two touchdowns in Week 3 against the Cardinals.
The Jaguars have allowed the 12th-least aFPA to opposing tight ends this season, so they’re a hair above average. They did give up a touchdown to Noah Fant last week however, and Olsen should find some room this week. As a nice safety valve in the Carolina offense, Olsen is a quality low-end TE1 in all leagues.
Week 4 at Houston Texans
Greg Olsen looked like he was in classic mode last week against the Cardinals, catching six of the seven balls thrown his way for 75 yards and two touchdowns. This followed a 110-yard performance in Week 2 and reminded fantasy owners how steady the veteran used to be. Olsen’s production against really bad defenses should be taken into consideration – the Cardinals are the worst team in the league in aFPA by the tight end position, and the Buccaneers are the 11th-worst – but his 25 targets so far this season are a good sign that he’ll be a mainstay of the offense while healthy.
The Texans have been very average against the tight end this year, so Olsen has a chance to thrive once again. His connection with new quarterback Kyle Allen didn’t seem to be a problem last week, so there’s no cause for concern heading into his second start with Allen under center. Fantasy owners should consider him a high-floor option and we have him just outside our top five at the position.
Week 3 at Arizona Cardinals
Greg Olsen looked great against the Buccaneers last week, catching six passes for 110 yards. He was targeted nine times, despite being hobbled heading into the game. Olsen should continue to be used as a safety blanket, and he’s a quality low-end starter with upside in good matchups. As long as he’s healthy, the Panthers will continue to use him. Cam Newton’s health is concerning, but he still see targets with a young quarterback even if Newton isn’t able to go.
The Cardinals gave up six catches, 131 yards and a touchdown to rookie tight end T.J. Hockenson in their first game. They followed that up by allowing eight catches, 112 yards and a touchdown to second-year tight end Mark Andrews last week. Regardless of the quarterback situation in Carolina, Olsen is a safe play with high upside in what could be a fantastic matchup.
