
The NFLDraftguys staff is going to duke it out over the question of whether the most enigmatic players in the 2007 draft class will become their best or worse case scenario right up until the 32 NFL franchises show us their take on those players in Radio City Music Hall on April 28 and 29.
High Side by Sigmund Bloom
The team drafting Greg Olsen is going to use him as an offensive weapon in the passing game , and he's clearly got the tools to succeed in the mission. Among tight ends, only Michael Allan of Whitworth approached the level of Olsen's combine performance, but unlike Allan, Olsen is a natural receiver. "Natural" also describes his hands and his instincts when the ball in the air. Olsen instinctively exploits soft spots in zones, but he also can create mismatches with both linebackers and defensive backs in man coverage. Of course, Olsen must snap out of the underachieving trance that the U lulled him (and others) into. His focus wavered and he lacked consistency in most facets of the game. I have faith that the Olsen who was an uberprospect coming out of high school will return. Remember, he was also a standout defensive end in high school - he's a rare specimen that won both offensive and defensive high school player of the year honors from major New Jersey newspapers. He definitely has it in him to play intense and angry (like his predecessors Jeremy Shockey and Kellen Winslow), and that's all that's holding him back from a very successful NFL career doing damage in the middle of the field.
Low Side by Cecil Lammey
Greg Olsen will be the first TE drafted in 2007, but he will not pan out to be the best one in the long run. Sure he looked great at the combine but so did Mike Mamula. Yes, I know, that is a low blow when comparing prospects but Olsen is a big boy - he can take it. When I review Olsen's college career I don't see enough production from a guy who was the #3 overall hs prospect when he first committed to Notre Dame (then ended up going to the U). Yes, he has great hands. Sure, a converted WR should make for a potentially gamebreaking TE. But why didn't we see more in college? I know the Hurricane QB situation was poor at best, but this guy was supposed to be better than Franks, Shockey, Winslow. I also question his toughness on the field and his willingness to get his hands dirty. To be a great TE in the NFL you have to have a nasty side to you, and I just don't see that from Olsen.
