Chris Olave was a second-round pick in most PPR fantasy drafts last season as the New Orleans Saints starting wide receiver. The 23-year-old pass catcher repeated his rookie success, with back-to-back consecutive 1,000-yard seasons as a pro.
However, his ceiling has been limited due to his quarterback situation with Derek Carr in a below-average NFL offense that uses various weapons. Olave still had a commanding target share on the field and benefitted from the number of targets given as a featured weapon, at times, despite lacking touchdown equity.
If that does go up in 2024, can the young star receiver finally have his breakout season, and will that reflect his top-10 receiver status in fantasy drafts currently?
Chris Olave 2023 Stats and Production
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Chris Olave had a career season in 2023, but more was left on the table potentially just due to the offensive environment in New Orleans.
The Saints pass catcher had 1,123 receiving yards, which was about 100 more than his rookie year, and 87 catches, 15 more from 2022. While that is great for PPR, the touchdowns have stayed on the low side, with only four in 2022 and five in 2023.
Olave finished as the 16th overall receiver last season and only had two games over 20 PPR fantasy points, but was consistent overall. He had 11 games with double-digit fantasy points not including the 20-pointers.
A few more scores and yards would have boosted him to elite status in all fantasy football league formats last year.
Last year, Olave was taken as more of a round-two selection in fantasy drafts, with his ADP staying relatively the same in 2023. According to FantasyPros, he is the 11th-ranked wide receiver and drafted 16th overall currently.
Chris Olave 2024 Fantasy Outlook
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With Derek Carr back for the Saints at quarterback, the hope is the chemistry between him and Chris Olave will lead to more deep ball connections with veteran receiver Michael Thomas gone.
New Orleans and the deep ball was better when Carr was out at times with Jameis Winston. The starting quarterback dealt with multiple injuries in 2023 and checked down to Alvin Kamara as the go-to move to bail him out of pressure.
Olave is being drafted above names like Drake London and Mike Evans as second-rounders in PPR fantasy leagues and close behind A.J. Brown, Garrett Wilson, and Puka Nacua.
Final Thoughts On Chris Olave
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I would potentially consider Chris Olave higher this year just because of his strength of schedule ranked 22nd against wide receivers on paper.
His target competition at the position is mostly fellow speedster Rashid Shaheed, who is their primary return man, and massive outside target A.T. Perry. They also have a plethora of tight ends like Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, and hybrid Swiss army knife Taysom Hill.
While his floor is pretty consistent with the target volume, his ceiling has to exceed what he’s done the past two seasons. His ADP signals more of a safer option that I might pass on at the top of round two for higher-upside players.
As of now, I would consider Chris Olave more of a strong wide receiver two option that is a late-round two or early-round three selection in PPR fantasy leagues all things considered.
About the Author
Previously wrote for Fansided NFL Mocks, Pro Football Network, uInterview/ uSports, the Daily Culture, and Ironiq Media. Recent Journalism/ Media Studies Grad and wrote for Impact News, the award-winning news publication of Mercy College, now Mercy University.
Now writing for Total Apex Sports about the NFL, NFL draft, and fantasy football, along with Total Apex E&G about movies, shows, anime, and gaming. You can follow me on Instagram @kimandrew1357 and Twitter (aka X) @kookykim1357.
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