2009 Projection: Greg Olsen

Last season, Greg Olsen was a solid tight end in his second professional season, catching 54 passes for 574 yards and five touchdowns. 

Considering that he only started seven games and had Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman throwing him the ball, that’s actually pretty impressive.

He was actually the team’s second-leading receiver in both catches (Matt Forte had 63) and yards (Devin Hester had 665), while leading the squad in touchdowns.

Desmond Clark, who had been the starter, figures to be the second tight end this season, giving Olsen even more opportunity to mature and take the next step.

You also have to take into account that Jay Cutler will now be manning the quarterback position, which is a significant upgrade.

While Bears quarterbacks combined for 3,229 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, Cutler passed for 4,526 yards and 25 touchdowns. 

Needless to say, there are going to be significantly more opportunities to make plays, even in the dismal winter weather in Chicago.

Having not imported any significant wide receivers to help upgrade the position, the extra completions have to go to someone. While Forte figures to be one of the safety valves for Cutler, Olsen should be the other. There were only seven tight ends who caught over 700 yards last season, a mark that I would fully anticipate Olsen exceeding.

The team’s tallest receiver stands at 6′3″, and that’s Brandon Rideau, who has appeared in just two games after being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2005 by the Browns. 

At 6′5″, Olsen should prove to be a prime target in the red zone and should be among the leaders in touchdowns by a tight end.

With that said, let’s look at what I’d expect from him in 2009.

Receiving: 78 catches, 870 yards, eight touchdowns

Those numbers would easily place him among the top five tight ends in the league.  His ADP is currently at 79.75, the sixth tight end coming off the board. 

My original rankings had him at No. 7, but that obviously has changed. When the new rankings come out, he’ll be at No. 5, having jumped ahead of Dallas Clark & Kellen Winslow.

What are your thoughts on Olsen?  How good do you think he could be?

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