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Prospect Preview: Chris Olave

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Position: WR

College: Ohio State

Height: 6’ 0”

Weight: 187lbs

Age: 21

247 Rating: 0.8875 (3 Stars)

By: Nate Christian (@NateNFL)

The Rundown:

In a somewhat surprising move, Chris Olave decided to return to college football for the 2021 season. A return to Ohio State meant he would be competing with Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and many other highly rated recruits. It worked out decently well for Olave, who was viewed as a mid-day two pick last year and now has seen himself sneak into the back end of the first round in many mock drafts. He’s got the talent to make an impact in the NFL, but how high can he climb?

College Production:

A very productive receiver over the past three years, Olave has consistently been good, but never truly great. Averaging 54 receptions, 835 yards, and about 10 touchdowns a year, Olave was a solid weapon for Justin Fields ($4,717,989) and C.J. Stroud, but never topped 1,000 yards or truly took over the Ohio State receiver room. In fact, his senior season he was out matched by both of his counterparts. It certainly is a talented corps that he had to compete with (similar to the Alabama wideouts we’ve seen over the past few years), but many are asking if he has what it takes to become a top option for an NFL offense.

Strengths:

  • Route Running Technician- One of the most refined route runners in the draft, he shows the ability to use his quick burst to catch defenders on their heels. His cuts are great as he is able to sink his hips when breaking down at the stem, or pace himself in the first five yards. He’s a great space finder, and while he’ll do well against man coverage, his ability to find holes in zone coverage could be his calling card in an offense. He also showed the ability in 2021 to play both inside and outside, with a deep understanding of route concepts.
  • Smooth Operator- Before the catch, Olave does well to get off the line and start developing his route. The transition from release to the first couple steps of his route are smooth and help him get an early step on defenders. After the catch, he offers the ability to make people miss on the first tackle and gain extra yardage down the sideline. He’s got great burst in and out of his cuts and enough wiggle to keep defenders on their toes.
  • Soft Hands- Doesn’t have many drops on the tape and has made his fair share of impressive catches all around the field. A good hands catcher who is comfortable with the ball away from his body, he can be a reliable option for any quarterback who needs a quick throw-and-catch.

Weaknesses:

  • Upside?- Olave is viewed as one of the safest prospects in the class, he does everything you need a wideout to do, and honestly does it pretty well. Despite this, he seems to lack a truly elite trait to stand out from the crowd. While this certainly does not mean he is doomed to fail at the next level, it brings caution when teams are trying to select the elite talent at the top of the draft. Olave could be a great WR2 on a team across from a strong X receiver, but if he is left with handling the majority of an offense’s volume, he may struggle to keep up his efficiency.
  • Lack of Physicality- With a slender frame, Olave does not play up to his height and he certainly doesn’t play like a player 10 or 20 pounds heavier. He gets pushed around by bigger defenders and is more sneaky and quick than thick and strong. Not every player can be A.J. Brown ($1,413,092), but you’d like to see him offer a bit more in contested catch situation and prove that he can hold his own once the defenders become even stronger and more athletic.

Things to Watch:

Olave had a great combine, posting a 4.39 40-Yard Dash. The burst shows up in the tape, he does have the ability to pick up yards quickly and can stretch the defense at times, but I think his play speed is a bit slower than his testing numbers. He certainly isn’t slow, but I wouldn’t be so quick to label him as a true down-the-field threat. Overall, the combine showed that he has been training and is putting in the work to maximize his talents. You like to see that in a player like Olave.

Projected Round/Contract:  

The rumors are he could find himself drafted in the back end of the first round next month, but I still have him projected as a second rounder myself. Teams are going to swing for upside in players like George Pickens and Jameson Williams before they “settle” for Olave. I would expect a contract around $2.2 million a year for Olave, similar to Elijah Moore ($2,235,107) who was selected at the 34th overall pick in 2021. But don’t be surprised to see him in the first round, the vast majority of mock drafts have him there at the moment.

Team Fits:  

Going off of what I said earlier, Olave would do well across from a strong X receiver, it helps narrow it down to a couple teams that would be able to use the strengths that Olave brings to the table. One of the easiest fits to hope for is the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers ($33,500,000) is back and apparently happy, so the front office really needs to bring in some receiver help if they want that to continue. Olave should be available at the 28th pick and would be a solid option in that offense across from Davante Adams ($20,145,000), assuming Adams and the Packers work out a contract.

Another team in a similar situation, pushing for a Super Bowl and needing a crafty WR2, is the Tennessee Titans. With the recent announcement that they will release Julio Jones on June 1st, the depth chart is shallow behind A.J. Brown ($1,413,092) and the team could use a good Z receiver for the ball to go to on a more consistent basis. This is the role that Olave would thrive in, and with a run-first team and a physical receiver across the field from him, he would likely post great efficiency numbers. Olave does some of his best work when given some freedom, and with heavy play action usage, the connection between Olave and Ryan Tannehill ($29,500,000) could lead to taking the pressure off the rest of the offense.

Make sure to follow Nate Christian over on Twitter at @NateNFL and check out all the work he is doing with the Dynasty Rewind (@DynastyRewind).

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