Week 8 – Greg Olsen vs. Seattle
Greg Olsen put up another good stat line last week against the Packers, despite a blowout loss for Carolina. He ended up with eight receptions, catching every ball that was thrown to him, for 105 yards. Olsen is now 13th in the league, and leads all tight ends with 493 receiving yards, and he may be on his way to his first career pro bowl.
This week, Olsen faces a Seattle defense that has struggled in recent weeks, and he’ll continue to be the most reliable receiving option for quarterback Cam Newton. Seattle has given up eight touchdowns so far this season to opposing tight ends, and Olsen will look for his sixth on the season as the Panthers try to bounce back from last week’s loss. He’s a top five play and should be active in all leagues.
Week 7 – Greg Olsen vs. Green Bay
Greg Olsen continues his assault on the rest of the league’s tight ends as he hopes to take advantage of an injured Jimmy Graham and make his first Pro Bowl. He had another nice outing against the Bengals last week, putting up 62 yards and a touchdown on six catches.
This week, Olsen faces a Green Bay defense that is better at covering outside receivers than at covering the tight end position, but Olsen is pretty matchup proof regardless. He’s a safety valve for Cam Newton and has rare big play ability for a tight end. He’s a top five play and should be active in all fantasy leagues.
Week 6 – Greg Olsen vs. Cincinnati
Greg Olsen had six receptions for 72 yards last week and he remains the primary go-to option in the Panthers passing game. He was targeted nine times and caught two touchdowns, rewarding fantasy owners who were disappointed after the Carolina offense struggled so much in Week 4 against Baltimore.
This week, Olsen faces a Bengals defense that was torched by two New England tight ends on Sunday night and has been battling injuries. The Bengals have slipped to 19th in passing yards allowed per game and Olsen should have continued success against them. He’s a must start in all formats, regardless of the matchup.
Week 5 – Greg Olsen vs. Chicago
Greg Olsen struggled along with the rest of the Panther offense last week against the Ravens as Carolina got pummeled by an energized Baltimore team. Olsen ended up with only two catches for 30 yards, though he was targeted five times during the game, and he remains a key component of the offense in Carolina.
Olsen faces a Chicago defense that got destroyed by the Packers last week. The Bears will find Carolina an easier opponent, but the former Bear Olsen should get back on track. With how much Cam Newton relies on the veteran tight end, Olsen remains a top option every week and should be active in all leagues.
Week 4 – Greg Olsen vs. Baltimore
Greg Olsen continues his excellent season, as he finished an ugly Pittsburgh loss with five catches for 69 yards and a touchdown. He’s been the go-to guy in the offense, particularly when Cam Newton is under center, and his athleticism and veteran savvy is one of the few things the Panthers can be excited about on offense.
This week, Olsen faces a Ravens team that has pretty much held tight ends in check this season, and looks to be improved all around over last season’s squad. However, as a main target and security valve for the Panthers, Olsen remains a top level play for fantasy owners. He should be active in all leagues, with only Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski ranked higher at the position.
Week 3 – Greg Olsen vs. Pittsburgh
Greg Olsen has been remarkably consistent the past two weeks as far as being a primary target in the passing game in Carolina. He followed up a nice week one with six receptions and 72 yards against the Lions last week. He didn’t find the end zone but has shown thus far that he’s still a very reliable option for fantasy owners to start week to week at the tight end position.
This week, he faces a Steelers team that does a fair job against tight ends, but let Owen Daniels score twice on them a week ago. Olsen is such a primary part of the offense and he’s been so consistent the past couple of years, that he remains the best tight end to have after the big three, and he should be active in all leagues.
Week 2 – Greg Olsen vs. Detroit
Greg Olsen provided an excellent security blanket for backup quarterback Derek Anderson last week against the Bucs, as he was looked to early and often and ended up with eight receptions, 83 yards, and a touchdown. Olsen should only benefit from the return this week of Cam Newton at quarterback.
Olsen faces a Lions team this week that allowed five catches, 56 yards and a touchdown to unproven Giants tight end Larry Donnell last week. Olsen remains a very steady option for fantasy owners, and a top guy to have on your roster if you’re not lucky enough to have one of the big three guys at the position. We have him ranked fifth this week, and he should be active in all leagues that separate the tight end position.
Week 1 – Greg Olsen vs. Tampa Bay
If slow and steady wins the race, then athletic and steady should get you at least some consistent fantasy points right? That’s what you get with Greg Olsen, the eight year veteran out of Miami who has put up over 800 yards and at least five touchdowns in each of the past two years. Those aren’t “win your league for you” numbers, but they are solid and consistent scores for fantasy owners to bank on from the TE position.
Olsen will hover in the 5-10 ranking range all season, and we have him 7th as he faces a Bucs defense that was middle of the road against the pass last year. Unless you have one of the elite guys at the TE spot (here’s looking at the Graham/Gronk/Thomas/Camerons of the world), then you’re probably starting Olsen. He’s about as steady as they come.
Greg Olsen is vanilla in a land of double mocha swirl ice cream, causing fantasy owners often to overlook the veteran each year. However, each year Olsen puts up solid numbers and provides a consistent option at the position that can be had in later rounds. He finished last season with over 800 yards for the second straight year and scored six touchdowns. He also set a career high mark with 73 receptions. With so much turnover at the WR position in Carolina, Olsen will be counted on to continue to provide a safety valve for quarterback Cam Newton.
Fantasy Upside
Olsen is a 6’5 target who runs great routes and has been arguably Carolina’s most consistent target in the passing game over the past two years. Now entering his second season in Offensive Coordinator Mike Shula’s offensive scheme, and his fourth year with Newton behind center, Olsen is in a system familiar to him with a quarterback that already trusts him. He’s also durable. Olsen hasn’t missed a game since his rookie year with the Bears in 2007, and he plays.
Fantasy Downside
Olsen’s strengths are also his weaknesses. With consistent output the past two years and the same system and quarterback in place, Olsen has less upside than some of his counterparts at the TE position around the league. Also, he may draw extra attention from opposing defenses as Carolina’s top receiving option if rookie WR Kelvin Benjamin takes some time to adapt to the NFL.
Bottom Line
At 29 years old, Olsen is still in his prime and will start the season as the Panthers’ top receiving option in the passing game. He has a good quarterback and a track record of production and should be considered a very solid fantasy option at the TE position. While he’s unlikely to challenge players like Jimmy Graham, Julius Thomas and Rob Gronkowski as a truly elite option at the position, Olsen is absolutely in the same category as a player like Jason Witten, a guy who quietly gets it done week in and week out. He’s our sixth ranked TE heading into the season, and is great value in that 8-10th round area, consistent with his ADP.
