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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen doesn't get caught up in statistics or team records, even though they are stacking up. He doesn't complain when he's not targeted, although those times are few and far between. Olsen, 30, could be the most valuable tight end in the NFL entering the Panthers' Thanksgiving Day game against the Dallas Cowboys and another top tight end in Jason Witten. Yes, arguably more valuable than New England's Rob Gronkowski, considering what Olsen has done for the Panthers (10-0). Here are three reasons to consider Olsen tops among his peers:  Locked in: Olsen is responsible for a higher percentage of his team's receptions (28 percent) and receiving yards (31 percent) than any tight end in the NFL this season, according to ESPN Stats & Info. Gronkowski ranks 10th (20 percent) and second (27 percent). Cincinnati's Tyler Eifert ranks ninth (20 percent) and 10th (18 percent). Olsen also is responsible for a higher percentage of his team's receptions (26 percent) and receiving yards (27 percent) than any tight end over the past three seasons. He doesn't catch as many touchdowns as Gronkowski, primarily because Carolina runs the ball more near the goal line. In particular, quarterback Cam Newton runs more than Tom Brady near the goal line. Newton has 39 rushing touchdowns in less than five full seasons. Brady has 16 in 15-plus seasons. Eifert actually leads all tight ends this season in receiving touchdown percentage at 55 percent. Olsen is seventh (30 percent) and Gronkowski fifth (33 percent). But you get the point.
More versatile: Olsen also can line up at any position on the field. His route tree might be the most complicated and largest in the NFL for a tight end -- maybe even for a wide receiver. He has lined up at every position besides center, guard and quarterback. He has a sleek build at 6-foot-5 and 253 pounds, yet he has mastered the chip block as well. Google Olsen and see how many spectacular one-handed catches he has made the past three to four seasons. The thing is, he makes them seem routine. The spinning, one-handed snag he made at Tennessee two weeks ago is a prime example. Gronkowski also makes the spectacular one-handed catches, but he uses his 6-6, 265-pound frame more to create separation. Then he overpowers and runs over defenders. He's a bigger target, and he's athletic, especially for a player his size. But Olsen has to use his athletic ability more to get open. Olsen doesn't have Tom Brady: No offense to Newton, but despite his 70 percent completion accuracy the past two weeks, he's no Brady (career 63.6 percent) in that category. Newton's career completion percentage is 59.1 and his 2015 percentage is 56.9. Gronkowski doesn't have to make as many spectacular catches because Brady simply is a more accurate passer. Gronkowski also is in an offense that doesn't rely on his quarterback's ability to run as the Panthers' does with Newton and the read-option (see the rushing touchdown numbers above). The Panthers have rushed for more than 100 yards in 21 straight games, tied for the longest streak in the NFL. They have a more balanced offense. New England averages 92 rushing yards a game. The biggest reason Olsen was overlooked prior to last season as a Pro Bowl tight end was because he played in a division with Jimmy Graham (New Orleans) and Tony Gonzalez (Atlanta). Now that Graham is in Seattle and Gonzalez is retired, Olsen is more visible. That the Panthers are undefeated also puts a bigger spotlight on him. But as mentioned above, Olsen doesn't care much about the spotlight.
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