Week 6 at Washington Redskins
If Greg Olsen returns from injury this week, he has the potential to be a sneaky start for fantasy owners needing help at the tight end position. While he’s worth a speculative add to most rosters, he’s risky to count on right out of the gate. His foot supposedly will still need surgery at some point, which makes it unlikely he can go back to being one of the steadiest fantasy tight ends in the league. A wait-and-see approach is recommended this week.
Week 1 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Greg Olsen was limited to seven games last season, and was largely nicked up and ineffective while active. He finished the season with only 191 yards and a single touchdown after three straight years with over 1,000 receiving yards. Olsen has always been very reliable, but we’ll find out soon if 2017 was an isolated, injury-plagued aberration, or a sign the 33-year-old veteran is breaking down.
This week, Olsen will face a Cowboys defense that was very average against tight ends a year ago, allowing six touchdowns and 77 receptions to the position. Heading into the season healthy, we’re banking on Olsen being a primary target in Week 1 and returning to steady fantasy production. We have him ranked as a top-five option, and he should be active in all leagues.
Fantasy Upside
After three steady seasons of over 1,000 receiving yards, and some of the most steady fantasy production at the tight end position this side of Rob Gronkowski, a foot injury limited Greg Olsen to only seven games and 17 receptions last year. Olsen, if healthy, should return to being a focal point of the Panthers offense, and he’s always been a favorite target of quarterback Cam Newton. Even with minimal production due to his foot, he was on pace for 86 targets last season. He was targeted over 100 times in each of the five seasons prior.
Fantasy Downside
Olsen turned 33 in March and it isn’t a foregone conclusion he’ll return to his Pro Bowl form after missing so much time last year. It’s very possible we’ve seen the end of Olsen as a prominent fantasy option. The emergence of Christian McCaffrey and Devin Funchess as viable options in the passing game may result in Newton focusing on Olsen less. Torrey Smith and D.J. Moore may also cut into his targets.
2018 Bottom Line
Olsen is a risky option at his age, but he certainly has a tremendous track record when it comes to consistent production. He’s been a weekly starter for much of his career. He seems just barely worth the risk at his sixth-round ADP, though, but a greater investment probably isn’t warranted with other value at the position in the eighth round and later.
Wild Card Round at New Orleans Saints
Greg Olsen was hurt for most of the season, and he struggled his final two games. However, he did have a great game against the Packers in Week 15, and he was targeted a total of 27 times over the past three weeks.
Olsen doesn’t have a great matchup this week against a Saints defense that allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to the tight end position this year. However, with only two other top-level tight ends available, Olsen should be considered a nice option for fantasy owners unable to secure Delanie Walker or Travis Kelce. There’s a big drop from Olsen to the next group.
Week 17 at Atlanta Falcons
Greg Olsen and the rest of the Panthers offense was disappointing last week, and he wound up with only 27 yards on 3 receptions. He did lead the team with 6 targets, however, and he looked healthy for the second week in a row.
The Falcons have been pretty good against the tight end this season, allowing only 4 touchdowns to the position. However, Olsen should be heavily targeted and has traditionally been matchup-proof. We have him listed as a top-five option this week and he should be active in all leagues.
Week 16 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Greg Olsen was finally able to brush off his foot injury last week, and he exploded against the Packers for 9 catches, 116 yards, and a touchdown. Olsen has long been one of the most consistent fantasy options in the league at the tight end position, so as long as he’s healthy, he should be counted on.
This week, he’ll face a Bucs team that has actually been pretty good against tight ends this year, allowing only 3 touchdowns to the position this year. If Olsen really is back though, he’s matchup-proof and should be heavily targeted in the Carolina offense. Fantasy owners should start him this week.
Week 15 vs. Green Bay Packers
Greg Olsen has struggled to be productive and to stay on the field since coming back a few weeks ago from a broken foot. He’s supposed to be healthy this week, however, and the Panthers are going to need him against a Packers team expecting Aaron Rodgers to return to action.
Olsen has long been one of the most reliable fantasy tight ends. While he has a tough matchup against a Packers defense allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends this year, he has always been matchup-proof in the past. Fantasy owners with a steady option available might take a wait-and-see approach with Olsen, but for owners who are looking at streaming options, Olsen might be worth the risk.
Week 14 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Greg Olsen is supposed to be back in action this week, but it’s hard to trust him after he’s had foot issues the past two weeks, after missing eight games with a broken foot. Olsen has potential, regardless of a tough matchup, because of his steady production over the past several years. However, until we see he’s fully healthy and can finish a game, it’s hard to trust him and fantasy owners should look elsewhere if possible. He remains a nice stash option, though, in case he shows something this week.
Week 13 at New Orleans Saints
Greg Olsen only caught 1 ball last week for 10 yards before leaving with foot soreness. While it’s possible this was just a precautionary measure after the former Pro Bowler missed eight games with a broken foot, it’s a concerning sign for fantasy owners. If he’s active this week, he has upside as such a steady performer over his career. However, it’s too risky to trust him right now without knowing he’ll stay active for the entire game. Fantasy owners should look elsewhere if possible.
Week 12 at New York Jets
Greg Olsen has been out since Week 2 with a foot injury, but he was removed from injured reserve on Monday, and he’s expected to be active this week against the Jets. Olsen has been one of the most consistent fantasy options at the tight end position over the past few years, with over 1,000 yards in each of the past three seasons. If you stuck it out with him all year on your roster, or if you got him off waivers ahead of time, he should make it worth your while.
This week, Olsen has a nice matchup against a Jets defense that has allowed 6 touchdowns and the eighth-most fantasy points per game to the tight end position this year. Expect quarterback Cam Newton to look to his trusty tight end early and often, and for a nice comeback game from the veteran.
