Big Things to Come
Dorian “The Trashman” Colbert, Rosterwatch.com

Carolina Panthers Head Coach Ron Rivera believes he has a stud in Greg Olsen. He just might be on to something. Last season, Olsen and then teammate Jeremy Shockey combined for 995 yards and nine touchdowns on 82 receptions. 

For a comparison, Aaron Hernandez had 910 yards and seven touchdowns for New England. Shockey is no longer on the Panthers’ roster, so it isn’t unreasonable to think that Olsen could post similar or better numbers as the primary tight end in Carolina. Cam Newton doesn’t have many reliable targets than Olsen and Steve Smith (we’re not holding our breath on Brandon LaFell or Louis Murphy), so the sky is the limit.

Carolina is still primarily a running team, and I don’t see the hard nosed Rivera straying too much from that formula, but there is still room for improvement in a passing game that was helmed by a rookie last season. Currently the 18th tight end off the board, behind the likes of Colby Fleener and Jared Cook, Olsen comes as a low risk high ceiling value pick that could pay off big. You could very well draft him as your backup and ship off your first tight end pick if he steps up like we think he will.