Week 2 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Greg Olsen only caught four passes for 36 yards last week against the Rams, but he was targeted nine times and clearly has the trust of Cam Newton after years of being a security blanket. That’s a good sign for fantasy owners who grabbed Olsen late to be the primary tight end. He was nicked up in Week 1, but early reports say he should be good for his matchup against the Buccaneers.
Tampa held George Kittle to 54 yards last week, but he did catch eight passes. Expect the Panthers to continue to feature Olsen on short-to-intermediate routes, giving him a high floor in what should be a good matchup. Keep an eye on the injury report, but as long as he’s active, he’s a borderline starter in all league formats, and an excellent streaming option in shallow leagues.
Week 1 vs. Los Angeles Rams
At 34 years old and coming off back-to-back injury-plagued seasons, Greg Olsen is out to prove he still has some fuel left in the tank. Olsen had only 291 yards on 27 receptions in 2018 as the Panthers struggled in the passing game, but he did manage four touchdowns, giving him some upside if he proves to be healthy.
Heading into Week 1, Olsen appears to be healthy and will face a Rams defense that allowed the eighth-most touchdown passes in the league last year. Olsen is risky given his struggles the past two years, but the Panthers will still look to him in the red zone and he stands a decent chance of hitting paydirt in this matchup. We have him ranked as a borderline starter and viable streaming option.
Fantasy Upside
Prior to 2017, there were few players in the league as consistent as Greg Olsen. He had at least 800 yards in each of the previous five seasons, including at least 1,000 yards in the previous three. Olsen only played nine games last year, but he demonstrated some his playmaking against the Bucs in November with six catches, 76 yards and a touchdown. If Olsen can be healthy this year, he should continue to be a primary target for quarterback Cam Newton.
Fantasy Downside
Olsen has struggled to stay on the field the last two seasons. He’s missed 16 games over the past two season combined. At 34 years old, he’s unlikely to regain the ability to separate that made him so dangerous early in his career, and multiple foot injuries get harder and harder with age. Youngster Ian Thomas showed flashes of ability as a rookie last year and he may end up eating into Olsen’s snaps and targets.
2019 Bottom Line
Olsen says he’s healthy heading into August, which is a good sign for Panther fans and fantasy owners looking for bargains at the tight end position. He’s currently going in the 12th round of 12-team leagues, which will be a steal if he can stay on the field and get even close to the kind of production he had prior to all the injuries. He’s worth a gamble with such a small cost for owners looking to forego the position in early rounds.
Week 13 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Greg Olsen struggled last week against the Seahawks with only two catches and 11 yards. While his yardage and reception numbers haven’t been impressive this season, he’s found the end zone in four of his past six games, making him a fairly consistent option in a season where it’s hard to get fantasy production out of the tight end position.
This week, Olsen will face a Buccaneers defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this year. Expect Olsen to continue to get red zone looks and to have a better-than-average chance at scoring in a game that has shootout written all over it. We have him inside our top-10 ranking this week.
Week 12 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Greg Olsen only caught two passes for nine yards last week against the Lions, but he scored his fourth touchdown in five games and continues to be looked at often in the red zone. Olsen has been very steady, albeit a little touchdown-dependent, since coming back from his foot injury earlier this season, and fantasy owners have been able to plug-and-play the veteran once again.
This week, Olsen faces a Seahawks defense that has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to the tight end position this season. However, in a season marred by inconsistent tight end play, there’s something to be said for consistency, and Olsen has been producing as of late. We have him as a top-five option in all leagues despite a tough matchup.
Week 11 at Detroit Lions
After scoring a touchdown in three straight games, Greg Olsen struggled along with most of the Panthers offense last week, putting up only 40 yards on four receptions against the Steelers. Olsen led the team in targets with six however, and it’s good to see him re-establishing a solid rapport with quarterback Cam Newton after a lost season in 2017.
This week, Olsen and the Panthers will try to bounce back against a Lions defense that has been above average against the tight end position, but was just torched by the Bears offense last week. Olsen’s role in the offense should make him a nice option regardless of matchup, and he should be active in all leagues, particularly with six teams on bye.
Week 10 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Greg Olsen had a great game against the Buccaneers last week, catching all six passes thrown his way for 76 yards and his third touchdown in as many games. Olsen is still a little nicked up, but he’s looking more and more like the consistent fantasy tight end he’s been throughout most of his Panthers career.
This week, Olsen will face a Steelers defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to the tight end position this year, including 53 receptions. Olsen has cautiously returned to his status as a top fantasy tight end, and he should be active in all leagues in what should be a good matchup.
Week 9 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Greg Olsen is starting to look like himself again, as he hauled in four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown last week against the Ravens. It was his second touchdown in as many games, and he’s averaged 5.3 targets over his last three outings.
This week, Olsen faces a Buccaneers defense that gives up the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the tight end position. He should be featured heavily and if Ryan Fitzpatrick can get the Tampa Bay offense humming, this game could be a shootout. We have Olsen as an elite fantasy option this week, particularly with a lot of teams on bye, and he should be active in all formats.
Week 8 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Greg Olsen scored a touchdown last week and was targeted five times, but he only wound up with two receptions and five yards. Olsen is trying to battle back from repeated foot injuries that have rendered him inactive or ineffective dating back to last season. It’s good to see him active in consecutive weeks, but it’s risky to assume he’ll get back to his steady week-to-week production at this stage in his career.
This week, Olsen faces a Ravens defense that has been good across the board this year, but has allowed 5.6 catches and 62.7 yards per game to the tight end position. Olsen may cap out at that production, with a decent shot at finding the end zone, making him a fringe starter in most leagues.
Week 7 at Philadelphia Eagles
Greg Olsen returned to action last week and caught a modest four passes for 48 yards in a loss to the Redskins. It was good to see Olsen start and finish a game after nearly a season and a half marred by injuries. If he can stay healthy, he should return to consistent targets and steady fantasy production. Olsen was targeted seven times in his return to action, and he’s always been one of Cam Newton’s most trusted options in the passing game.
This week may not be the best time to use the veteran, however, as he faces an Eagles defense that has allowed the least fantasy points per game to the tight end position this year. Olsen has a high floor when healthy, but a wait-and-see approach in his second game back against a tough defense might be best.
