Wk 3- Who To Watch: Greg Olsen

            Who To Watch: Greg Olsen

          (Carolina Panthers, Tight End)

                       Week 3

Many fantasy experts say that there is no tight end in the NFL that is nearly as good as New England Patriots' star TE, Rob Gronkowski. This is definitely not true. Yes, Gronkowski is a fantasy all-star, but there are a few tight ends that could put up close to the same amount of points as the great Gronk. The tight end position is more important than people think. The problem for my fantasy teams is that they overlook their tight end position on their roster. Many fantasy owners tend to throw in a "big name" TE, like: Jimmy Graham, Jason Witten, Vernon Davis, etc. While these are great NFL players, they are below average fantasy players. When looking for the right tight end, we must look at how each player is used in the offense. If a player is used as a run blocker, a 3rd and short receiver, or a playmaker with many redzone targets, he can be a boom or bust in your lineup. The Patriots depend on Gronkowski as a huge part of their offense. Similar to Gronk's value in New England, the Carolina Panthers focus their offense around their hidden jewel at tight end, Greg Olsen.

Olsen was an All-Star tight end for the University of Miami (FL). In his four years as a Hurricane, he totaled 87 receptions for 1,215 yards and 6 touchdowns. Coming into the NFL Draft, the 6'2", 253 lb beast from South Beach was ranked second best tight end in the entire 2007 draft class. To alongside is monster stats at Miami (FL), NFL scouts and coaches were most drawn to Olsen's build, size, and receiving skills. Greg Olsen was drafted by the Chicago Bears as the first round, 31st pick in the '07 NFL Draft. 

In his rookie season, Greg Olsen had a positive season for a struggling Bears' offense. In only 14 games, Jay Cutler connected with his tight end for 39 receptions, 391 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns. In the 2007 season, the young first round pick won the Brian Piccolo Award and was named on the PFW/PFWA All-Rookie Team (2007). Achieving these awards in his first season in the NFL, the Cutler and the Bears coaching staff knew they had someone special.

During his time as a Chicago Bear, Greg Olsen put up a continually solid performance. In an offense that depended on their running game, the rising star remained productive in a struggling passing offense. From 2007 through 2010, Olsen played in a total of 62 games. Hardly affected by injury, he had 194 receptions for 1,981 yards with 20 touchdowns. This shows how productive he can be in the redzone. With this type of production as a tight end, Olsen was named Comcast SportsNet Bears Player of the Year (2008). 

Although he was one of the best receivers for Chicago, the Bears traded Greg Olsen to the Carolina Panthers for a 2012 third round pick. To follow up a great year in Chicago, Olsen upped his game in Carolina. Unlike the Bears, the Panthers were looking to use their newly acquired tight end more in the passing game. In 2011, Cam Newton targeted Olsen for 45 receptions, 540 yards, and 5 touchdowns.

Ever since the trade to Carolina, Greg Olsen has played in every single game for the Panthers. In 4 season, the all-star tight end has recorded 271 receptions for 3,207 total yards with 22 touchdowns. It is no secret that Olsen is Cam Newton's favorite receiver to throw to in the redzone. QUOTE ABOUT OLSON BY CAM NEWTON. Greg Olsen has been so successful in 2014 for Carolina that he was named to the 2014 Pro Bowl. This was a huge accomplishment for a very talented tight end. 

The Pro Bowler entered the 2015 season ranked second among tight ends, which was behind all-star Patriot, Rob Gronkowski. In the NFL overall player rankings, Greg Olsen was ranked 89th in the NFL's Top 100 Players in 2015. The Carolina offense looked to be explosive with their four stars leading the way, QB Cam Newton, RB Jonathan Stewart, WR Kelvin Benjamin, and TE Greg Olsen. If fact, in March of this year, Olsen signed a three year, $22.5 million contract extension with a $12 million signing bonus with the Panthers. The multimillion dollar contract also came with a $7.5 million annual salary. Obviously the Panthers are looking to get their money's worth out of their tight end, and it is no question the Pro Bowl tight end will be a focal point of the young offense.

Through 2 weeks, Greg Olsen has been worth the money for the Panthers. Especially with Kelvin Benjamin's season ending injury during Carolina's preseason, Olsen has has stepped up to take on the biggest role in the offense. He is currently ranked 74th overall, which is 2nd in TEs. In two games, Olsen has 14 receptions for 104 yards and 2 touchdowns. He has proven to be the main target in the endzone. In fantasy, he's totaled roughly 34 points (depending on your league's scoring). His current price on DFS sites, DraftKings and FanDuel, has steadily been $5,500. With Gronk's price in daily fantasy rising, Olsen's price is very reasonable for the quality of play he's been playing. 

Greg Olsen's week 3 matchup is against the Tamp Bay Buccaneers. He is projected to put up roughly 7-8 fantasy points. If Newton and Stewart are able to develop a good running game, then look for Olsen to get plenty of targets and multiple touchdowns. He might be projected only 7 points, but I expect him to be in the teens at the end of this week. Looking forward as fantasy owners, we must keep an eye on the Panthers problems rushing. This can affect Olsen's production in the weeks to come. Regardless, Greg Olsen is a top 3 tight end in fantasy and is a must start this week for every fantasy team.

      -Who Else To Watch in Week 3-

Tyrod Taylor (BUF • QB) - The young Buffalo Bills have played well through two weeks. It is early, but Tyrod has already proven himself as a top of the line quarterback in the NFL. Scoring with his arm and with his legs, Taylor is one of the most attractive fantasy QBs for the rest of season. Looking at his matchup against a terrible and overrated Miami defense this week, Tyrod Taylor is going to go off. Still cheaply priced in DFS, Taylor is a great play for Daily. 

Marcus Mariota (TEN • QB) - Through the first two weeks, the Tennessee quarterback has played exceptionally well. Throwing a total of 6 touchdowns, Mariota is on a hot streak. Coming into a matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, look for Mariota to continue to put up big fantasy numbers, along with his favorite target in Kendall Wright. He is a great add and a solid streamer against a struggling defense. Priced low in DFS, Marcus Mariota is a strong and affordable start. 

Devanta Freeman (ATL • RB) - Once the handcuff running back for the Atlanta Falcons, DeVanta Freeman is now the starter. Tevin Coleman has gone down with a bad injury and looks to be out for a few weeks. Freeman looked good filling in for Coleman. Look for the Falcons to really use Freeman in both the running and passing game. Available in almost all leagues, Freeman is the hottest player entering into week 3. He is a must add, not only for Coleman owners, but for every fantasy owner. Cheaply priced in Daily, Freeman is a great start. 

Darren McFadden (DAL • RB) - The Dallas Cowboys don't know what they want to do on offense. They have no identity. The only running back I'm interested in, going forward, is Darren McFadden. Owned in a lot of PPR leagues, the Cowboys receiving back is the only back that will be continually productive this season. Look for Joseph Randle to slow down production, Jerry Jones to be impatient, and Darren McFadden to increase snaps and touches. Cheaply priced in DFS, but I'm staying away from him for a few weeks in Daily. 

Leonard Hankerson (ATL • WR) - In an offense that is playing well, so far... One of the most interesting players on the Falcons' squad is wide receiver No. 2, Leonard Hankerson. Known for making some big plays, Hank Time is one of the sleepers on the offense (along with Freeman). He should be targeted more, while the offense tries to get Freeman used to being an every-down back. With a decent price in DFS, Hank is a WR3 with upside. 

John Brown (ARZ • WR) - With his huge playmaking ability, John Brown has become Palmer's favorite target for the big plays down the field. Brown is one of those guys that could get a low number of targets but multiple touchdowns, or he could get a ton of targets but for little yardage. With a floor base of points around 6 (standard scoring), Brown has a very high ceiling. A WR2 for week 3 against a bad secondary in San Francisco, he has a good matchup to have a break out game. 

Travis Benjamin (CLE • WR) - Playing out of his mind against the Jets and the Titans, Benjamin has the hot hand coming into week 3. Facing a slow and struggling Oakland Raiders secondary, Benjamin is a very attractive add. Owned in less that 30% of leagues, the Browns' wideout is wildly available. A boom-or-bust start in DFS, Benjamin can win you the week or fail miserably. Not trusting the offensive stability of the Cleveland Browns, Benjamin is an add and stash in all leagues. 

Richard Rodgers (GB - TE) - One of Aaron Rodgers' favorite targets in the end zone, the tight end is a solid option for a streaming TE. With the injury of Nelson and Adams, Rodgers could lineup as a wideout in some sets. Going up against a top 3 Kansas City secondary, Aaron Rodgers could target Richard Rodgers a ton in week 3. Boom-or-bust, stay away from Richard Rodgers in DFS, start him in PPR, and weigh your options in standard. 

Jordan Reed (WAS • TE) - A very talented TE, highly drafted, but available in many leagues, Jordan Reed is a great streamer at tight end. The Redskins don't have many options in the passing game. Reed looks like the only target for Washington's QB, Kirk Cousins. Cousins, known for struggling in his accuracy, makes Reed a shaky option as a weekly start. The talent is there for Reed, hopefully the targets will be. 

By: Cameron Black

@GBCam_Black