The New Orleans Saints hit a home run with one of their two first-round selections in 2022. They selected wide receiver Chris Olave as the 11th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Since then, Olave has led the Saints in targets, receptions, and receiving yards and is second in receiving touchdowns. During that span, he caught passes from four different quarterbacks. Those quarterbacks were Andy Dalton, Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, and Derek Carr. The only player from this group confirmed to start this year is Carr. Here is a breakdown of his first two seasons and what to expect for the 2024 season.
A Look at Chris Olave’s Upcoming Breakout Season
Rookie Year
Olave joined the Saints as an elite prospect from Ohio State University. He was one of six receivers drafted in the first round, including his fellow Buckeye, Garrett Wilson. He was drafted to pair with longtime stalwart Michael Thomas, but Thomas only played in three games due to injury.
Despite the inconsistencies at quarterback and the 19th-ranked offense, Olave developed into a go-to target. Chris Olave finished the season with 119 targets, 72 catches, 1,042 yards, and four touchdowns. He played in 15 games with nine starts and finished fourth in voting for the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Olave showed flashes of elite receiver play with precise route running and strong hands, but he lacked upper body strength for contested catches. According to Pro Football Reference, he finished his rookie year with a catch rate of 60.5%, ranking 43rd amongst all pass catchers with a minimum of 90 targets.
Sophomore Season
Olave worked hard to have a more significant impact for the Saints in his second season. He gained seven pounds of muscle and improved his strength to improve in contested situations. Additionally, the Saints upgraded at quarterback by signing Derek Carr in free agency. Everything seemed to be heading in the right direction for a significant improvement but, unfortunately, fell short.
Carr and Olave had a strong start with 22 catches and 302 yards in the first three games, but Carr suffered a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder in week three. As a result, Olave and the offense struggled to perform consistently and fell short of expectations. Despite the challenges, Olave finished the season with career-best stats, including 138 targets, 87 catches, 1123 yards, and five touchdowns. He also improved his catch rate to 63%, ranking him 15th among all pass catchers with at least 90 targets.
2024 Outlook
The New Orleans Saints and receiver Olave are entering the 2024 season with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. The team’s decision to release Michael Thomas has thrust Olave into the spotlight as the de facto leading receiver. Additionally, the Saints have made significant changes in their coaching staff, parting ways with long-time offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael and bringing in Klint Kubiak to introduce a new offensive strategy.
The overhauled offense will undoubtedly enhance the team’s running game and provide quarterback Carr with increased opportunities to execute play-action plays. This shift in offensive approach is set to generate additional chances for Olave to demonstrate his explosiveness on the field. Moreover, his offseason dedication has seen him add more muscle to enhance his physical prowess and strength with contested catches. Chris Olave’s commitment to overcoming his perceived limitations illustrates his determination to ascend to the ranks of the NFL’s elite wide receivers.
Main Image: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
