As the NFL off-season begins, we look at Gunner Olszewski as a player to stash in fantasy football dynasty league formats.
After a 7-9 season the New England Patriots seem to be hitting a snag. In their first year without Tom Brady, the team missed the playoffs; and seem to be on the cusp of a rebuild. Outside of Damien Harris and Jakobi Meyers (and Chase Winovich in IDP leagues), there aren’t many players to target for fantasy football either. But one guy who’s been getting overlooked was one of the more successful players in the 2020 season. That player is Gunner Olszewski.
Olszewski started taking over punt return duties in 2019, but he really became an elite playmaker in 2020; as the second year player would become an All-Pro at the position. The All-Pro year would include breaking the franchise record in yards per return with 17.3, surpassing the previous mark of 15.5 held by Julian Edelman. That number is good for second all-time in the NFL since 1970, only behind Buffalo’s Leodis McKelvin who had 18.7 in 2012.
For those who aren’t aware, Gunner Olszewski is listed as a wide receiver; but he didn’t play the position until he came into the NFL. His career arch is following fellow WR Julian Edelman, and there’s reason to believe that Gunner will replace him.
By now it’s fairly obvious that head coach Bill Belichick has a ‘favorite’ type of receiver. From Wes Welker, to Julian Edelman, and now Gunner Olszewski, all of these men have fairly similar characteristics.
Why should I stash Gunner?
Despite a training camp that was marred by the ongoing pandemic, there were signs that the coaching staff wanted to give Gunner an expanded role. After nine workouts it was Olszewski who led all New England receivers in receptions with 20, ahead of both Julian Edelman and Damiere Byrd (19); and he continued to impress throughout camp. When Bill Belichick was asked about the young cornerback turned wide receiver, the impression he left was that coach plans to make Gunner a integral part of the offense going forward.
Olszewski has a quick burst and crisp route running as seen by his predecessors, which should make for an easy transition into the role previously held by Julian Edelman for years.
It's Gunner's world, we're just living in it.@Gunnerolszewsk1 | #GoPats
đź“ş: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/wPhlTAer2X
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 7, 2020
Without any true #1 wide receiver to get in his way (and no other slot receivers on the team), it should be even easier for him to find a niche in this offense going forward.
At the moment, Gunner isn’t even being drafted in a majority of dynasty leagues; and he’s easily available to pick up on waivers. While his cost is essentially nothing, he’s quite literally the only player under that criteria with the potential to become a starter with true fantasy football value going forward.
Personally, I’ve picked him up in every fantasy football dynasty league that I’m in with either my very last draft selection, or on the waiver wire; and easily acquire him for $0 FAAB.
At worst he doesn’t pan out and you didn’t spend anything worth of value, and at best he becomes a great flex play for years to come. Don’t hesitate to make a move that won’t hinder your team. Fantasy football is about taking calculated chances, and one of those chances should be used on Gunner Olszewski.
