Week 9 - The Panthers stated their intent in the preseason to turn Greg Olsen into the next Rob Gronkowski, but so far that plan hasn’t materialized. In week 8 Olsen caught just 3 passes for 23 yards. The only reason Olsen remains a recommended low end TE1 is the poor all around play of TE’s all around the NFL this season. We still hold out hope that Newton will start looking Olsen’s way more often in the second half of the season.
Week 6 - Greg is on a bye week for week 6, hopefully him and Cam spend their time off getting to know each other a little better.
Week 5 - Olsen is sneaking up on TE1 territory after a big week which saw him catch 6 passes for 89 yards and a TD in week 4. The coaches for the Panthers said that Olsen could be the next Gronkowski this year, and if they keep targeting him like this he will become a must start option. For week 5 he is still a TE 2 with a tough matchup against the Seahawks D.
Week 4 - Olsen gets a touch matchup with one of 2012′s best defenses in the Atlanta Falcons for week 4. While there is a chance this is a high scoring game, Cam Newton hasn’t inspired confidence throwing the ball yet, so Greg should be considered a TE2 until the Panthers can get things straightened out on offense.
Week 2 – Week 1 was a positive sign for Olsen, as he caught all 6 passes thrown his way to the tune of 56 yards. Assuming that Newton will continue to favor his big tight end, which the offensive coordinator hinted at in the preseason, Greg will continue to impress this year. As it stands now, Greg Olsen is still a TE2 in most formats, but he could have limited value in deeper formats as this game vs. the New Orleans Saints should turn into a high scoring shootout.
Week 1 – Greg Olsen, another one of our favorite sleepers this season, is only a recommended play in extremely deep formats. If you play in a 14 team league, he could see decent numbers against the Tampa Bay Bucs, but chances are you have a better option on your roster.
Preseason Analysis
Greg Olsen came over to the Carolina Panthers in 2011 after 4 full seasons in Chicago, the change of scenery did him little good, as he put up numbers that were pretty much on par with his career averages. Turns out that Jeremy Shockey was the main guy holding him back in 2011, as Olsen and Shockey combined for 82 catches and 995 yards last season. Now with Olsen the go-to guy, he could surprise fantasy owners everywhere and be the breakout talent at TE this season. Target Olsen as a late WR1 or early WR2 in all formats for 2012.
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2009 stats(Bears) – 16 games – 60 Receptions, 612 Yards(10.2 Average), 8 TD’s, 0 Fum
2010 stats(Bears) – 16 games – 41 Receptions, 404 Yards(9.9 Average), 5 TD’s, 2 Fum/ 1 Lost
2011 stats(Panthers) – 16 games – 45 Receptions, 540 Yards(12.0 Average), 5 TD’s, 1 Fum/ 1 Lost
