Greg Olsen Set To Return To Fantasy Glory
The idea of a tight end as accomplished as Greg Olsen still sitting on a draft board in the mid-thirteenth round sounded unfathomable two years ago. Olsen was a top-ten tight end from 2012-2016, and he was the first tight end ever to reach 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. After missing 16 of 32 games since the start of the 2017 season, fantasy gamers are sleeping on the 34-year-old. Get ready for your wake up call.
The Descent
Greg Olsen suffered a pedal foot fracture in Week Two of 2017. His foot was surgically repaired, and he returned to football in late November. After missing one game due to soreness, he was able to finish the final four games of the season. Olsen fractured the same foot in Week One of the 2018 season but returned after Carolina’s Week Four bye. His season came to a devastating end when he ruptured his plantar fascia in Week 13.
Don’t Call It a Comeback
After his second foot surgery in two years and being on the wrong side of 30, many thought Olsen would hang up his cleats. Instead, Olsen committed to playing in 2019 with confidence that his foot is healed. Shortly after being medically cleared on May 22, he was seen running routes and making one-handed catches at practice. A healthy Cam Newton will rely on Olsen heavily after losing his big receiver, Devin Funchess, in free agency. Under contract through 2020, Olsen still has more to accomplish before heading to the broadcasting booth.
Fantasy Outlook
If Olsen and Newton can both avoid injury setbacks, Olsen’s production will return to top-ten status. Besides being Cam’s security blanket, he will absorb some of Funchess’ 25-percent red zone target share from the last two seasons. Ian Thomas showed promise when filling in during 2018, but he is still raw. For 2019, Thomas will be a complimentary piece to Olsen, not a replacement. Olsen is safe to draft in redraft leagues, especially at his current ADP. He is also a good placeholder in dynasty if you are waiting on a rookie to develop or need a second tight end with top-ten upside.
Comments (1)
TIMOTHY N HUNTER
Great info, thanks!