NFL Rankings: 10 best tight ends in the league
By Brad Rowland
6) Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers
In an offense that was strapped for options on the outside, Greg Olsen made great strides in 2013, and the benefit to quarterback Cam Newton was tangible. At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, Olsen presents a sizable target in the passing game, and dating back to his days at Miami, he has been a sure-handed receiver who snatches virtually everything thrown in his direction.
Last season, Olsen tied for fifth in the NFL among tight ends with 73 receptions, and he shed some of his “plodding” label by racking up 816 yards through the air. In 2014, those numbers may even increase, as Olsen is the top returning target, and as a route-runner, he has the ability to separate against press coverage to give Newton a quick option across the middle.
In fairness, Olsen doesn’t present the type of ceiling that players like Ertz and Cameron can offer, but at the moment, he exceeds them in terms of present value.