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TE Greg Olsen, Chicago Bears

HT: 6-5, WT: 255, Born: 3-11-1985, College: Miami, Drafted: Round 1, Pick 31

2008 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of June 28th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: K Watson (139), Greg Olsen (141), A Bradshaw (143)
Position: A Crumpler (118-TE13), B Watson (123-TE14), Greg Olsen (141 - TE15), D Lee (149-TE16), L Smith (158-TE17)
Click here for a comparison of these players.

Best Case

Rex Grossman plays with confidence, the receiving core exceeds expectations and the offensive line provides good protection for their quarterback. If all of these were to occur and Olsen progresses as expected, he could finish the season as a top-ten fantasy tight end.

Worst Case

The Bears entire offense struggles to move the ball, the lack of a strong receiving core rolls coverage over to stop the tight end position and Olsen doesn't improved significantly from a season ago. If this were to occur, Olsen will simply split time with fellow TE Desmond Clark and be nothing more than a dependable backup in fantasy leagues.

Outlook

It could be a very nice season for Olsen if Grossman can play well. The passing attack doesn't have a legitimate #1 receiver to get the ball to which makes it likely a ton of passes will be thrown to the tight end position in 2008. Olsen has elite tight end ability and he'll likely earn more playing time in 2008 with Clark perhaps sliding into more of a TE2 role with the club. Don't be surprised to see 50+ receptions this season.

Relevant Articles

Why he is undervalued

Andy Hicks - This is the year Greg Olsen becomes a fantasy force. Chicago has no wide receivers worth talking about and Desmond Clark hits 31, which in tight end terms is old. With Olsen developing quickly and Chicago needing a playmaker, expect Olsen to fulfill that role and easily outperform his draft slot.

Chris Smith - This is based on upside and opportunity as much as anything. The Bears have a weakness at receiver and may have to target the tight end position often in 2008. Olsen has elite talent and should finish top-ten.

Why he is overvalued

Jeff Tefertiller - The former first round pick from Miami flashed potential as a rookie. The best games for Olsen were with Brian Griese under center, and he is now in Tampa Bay. With Desmond Clark and Olsen splitting time, it will be difficult for the budding star to get enough receptions to satisfy his potential. In addition, the Bears drafted another tight end in April. Greg Olsen is a player that will be very difficult for fantasy owners to insert into the lineup with confidence.

Mark Wimer - Rex Grossman (not Brian Griese) is going to be throwing the ball in Chicago for at least part of the year (probably most) - Grossman prefers Desmond Clark over Olsen. Olsen may not be the #1 pass-catching TE on his team by year's end.

David Yudkin - Olsen played fairly well last year but teammate Desmond Clark played better. Olsen ranked as the 22nd best fantasy tight end, while Clark finished 12th. Clark is still on the roster, yet he's now the higher ranking of the two Bears' tight ends when at best he'll split time evenly. Go figure.

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Olsen was inactive for the game due to a sprained knee.

Week 3 - Making his NFL debut, Olson caught his only two targets of the game. His first catch came on the Bears' second drive and went for seven yards. Olsen's second catch went for 21 yards and took the Bears down to the Cowboys one yard line.

Week 4 - The rookie from Miami got into the game but was not a factor.

Week 5 - Olsen had his best game yet as a professional, leading the Bears in targets, receptions, and finishing second on the team in receiving yards. He had a nice jump ball catch for a 19 yard touchdown in the third quarter. Olsen was the target on Griese's lone interception.

Week 6 - Olsen made a number of nice catches, including a basket catch down the left sideline as he slipped behind the linebacker on a well executed timing pattern.

Week 7 - Olsen was the most targeted Chicago receiver in the game, finishing with eight, including a few in the red zone. He brought down four of those passes for 48 yards.

Week 8 - Olsen had two catches for 12 yards in the first half. He caught his first catch of the second half on a 20 yard touchdown pass where got behind the linebacker and found a seam in the zone coverage. He would add four more catches for 37 yards in the half and he would lead the Bears in receiving.

Week 10 - Olsen was targeted just one time in the game, failing to catch a pass.

Week 11 - Olsen was often Grossman's second read (after Berrian), and he was very consistent, catching all but one ball thrown his way.

Week 12 - Olsen celebrated following a 25 yard touchdown reception where Rex Grossman threw the ball up into the corner of the end zone and Olsen used his athleticism, strength and height to come down with the ball, however a holding penalty on the right tackle had allowed Grossman the time to make that pass, and as a result Olsen's stat line ended less impressively.

Week 13 - Greg Olsen caught both of his targets, but only for a total of seven yards. Olsen only got on the field in double tight end formations, as Clark was the one making the big plays in this game.

Week 14 - Olsen had only one catch for two yards in the first half, but had an amazing one handed catch for 20 yards with a defender draped all over him. He came back and caught a nine yard pass on the next play. Olsen had two consecutive passes thrown to him in the end zone with the ball on the Redskins five yard line.

Week 15 - Olsen finally got a little involved in the fourth quarter, but until then he was barely noticeable.

Week 17 - Kyle Orton looked to get Olsen involved early, but had trouble connecting as the two did so on less than thirty percent of his targets, though Olsen had seven targets to teammate Desmond Clark's one target against the Saints.