Getty Gallery: 4/7
Start: TE Greg Olsen vs. Bucs
Sit: TE Vance McDonald at Ravens
Since returning from injury, Olsen has provided the Panthers offense with a big spark. Olsen posted four receptions for 56 yards and a key touchdown against a good Ravens defense. Olsen has scored a touchdown in two straight games.
This week, Olsen faces a Tampa Bay defense that is giving up 318 passing yards per game, the second-most in the NFL. Olsen will have every opportunity to have his best fantasy outing of the season. Olsen explained to the Panthers team site that things can change quickly in the NFL.
“It just shows that in the NFL it’s just so week-to-week, and that’s why each week you’ve got to give it your best shot,” Olsen noted. “Because nobody cares what you did last week, nobody cares what your record is, good or bad. If you have a bad record, nobody is going to come out and take it easy on you; if you have a good record, nobody is going to lay down. It’s just the way this league is.”
With the number of injuries Olsen has battled over the past several years, there was some doubt the Panthers tight end would be able to return to the football field. Olsen admitted to being frustrated with having another setback.
"It's frustrating," Olsen explained to ESPN during his rehab. "I went eight months of never missing an OTA, minicamp, training camp, preseason, never missed a day, never was sore. Felt great. Had probably my best offseason from a production standpoint, a physical standpoint, in years. You step funny and catch a guy's foot ... it's frustrating."
Olsen has a shot to be one of the best fantasy tight ends in Week 9.
The Steelers Offense Faces a Difficult Ravens Defense
Like many tight ends, McDonald has had an up-and-down fantasy season. McDonald had just three receptions for 47 yards against the Browns. Things don't get any easier for the tight end as Pittsburgh faces the Ravens. Given the number of teams on a bye this week, you may not have much of a choice in starting McDonald. Just be aware it is not the most fantasy-friendly matchup.
McDonald is a player that the Steelers like to lean on but his usage may not be as consistent as fantasy owners would like. Roethlisberger broke down why McDonald is such a valuable part of the offense.
“I think it’s a guy that you have to be aware of for down-the-field stuff," Roethlisberger said per Steelers Depot. “He’s a guy that can create some mismatch opportunities, and when you get that you’ve got to take advantage of it. We all saw what can happen when you get the ball in his hands quick enough...Vance and I have a great relationship. We’re in a Bible study off the field. We went on a trip this offseason together. It’s good being there, that we can communicate and talk about football things, life things, faith things, whatever it is."
Baltimore is just slightly behind Jacksonville for the least amount of passing yards allowed in the NFL. If you have to start him this week, you are hoping he is able to find the end zone. Otherwise, there are more fantasy viable tight ends for the week.