RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~100 Overall
CURRENT ADP: ~115
ANALYSIS: Olave’s fluid style and polished route running propelled him to historic numbers during his four seasons at Ohio State, as he exceeded the results that had been generated by a collection of esteemed alumni. Olave collected a school record 35 touchdowns, which was also the fourth highest total in Big Ten history. Olave’s 176 receptions also placed him third in school history, while his 2,702 yards vaulted him to fifth.
Olave also generated 840+ yards and 12+ touchdowns during both 2019 and 2021, including his 13 touchdowns last season - which tied him for sixth overall. The Saints traded up during April’s NFL Draft in order to seize Olave with the 11th overall pick. This has positioned him to commandeer an integral role in an offense that has undertaken a mammoth transformation following the departures of Drew Brees and Sean Payton.
The Saints’ aerial attack dropped to 28th in total offense (304.5 per game), which was the team’s first season since Brees’ retirement. New Orleans also plummeted to dead last in passing (187.4 yards per game) and 30th in pass play percentage (51.5%), which was also the team’s final season with Payton concocting the offense.
Jameis Winston spearheaded the attack from Weeks 1-8 before a torn ACL immediately ended his season. He ultimately combined with Trevor Siemian, Taysom Hill, and Ian Book for 29 touchdowns and a 58.1% completion percentage.
Winston will re-emerge under center in an aerial attack that will be designed by new offensive architect Pete Carmichael Jr. Winston will also be reliant on Olave, and veterans Michael Thomas, and Jarvis Landry as his top-three weapons at wide receiver.
This presents Olave with a legitimate opportunity to operate as the team’s WR2, while catapulting beyond Marquez Callaway, Tre’Quan Smith, and Landry on the Saints’ depth chart. He possesses an assortment of skills that will allow the Saints to deploy him outside or in the slot. This includes his undeniable speed, which should expedite his development into a dynamic downfield weapon.
Landry is also 29 but should supply Winston with a reliable presence in the slot. He averaged 149 targets/96 receptions/1,086 receiving yards from 2015-2019. However, he finished 2021 with career lows in targets (87/7.3 per game), receptions (52/4.3 per game), receiving yards (570/47.5 per game), and touchdowns (two).
The convergence of Olave’s talent and his opportunity in New Orleans’ restructured attack should enable him to surpass the expectations of his current ADP (113/WR46).
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