After an electric career at Ohio State, Chris Olave will enter the 2022 NFL draft. Guaranteed to be a hot commodity come April, check out his scouting report below.
Background
A three-star recruit out of high school in California, Olave passed up the opportunity to stay home and instead enrolled at Ohio State. While there, he became a favorite receiver for both Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud. Due to this, he was able to set the Ohio State career record for receiving touchdowns with 35. In 2021, he had his best statistical season yet with 65 receptions for 936 yards and thirteen touchdowns. Known for his elite speed, Olave will likely clock a time in the 4.3’s at the NFL scouting combine.
Strengths
Likely the best route runner in the 2022 class, Olave is creative and effective throughout the entire route. With explosive but patient releases, he keeps defenders honest at all times. This rings true when he is faced with press coverage, as he is often just too slippery for cornerbacks to get their hands on. At the top of the routes, Olave does a masterful job of attacking the defender’s blind spot and not breaking until the perfect time. In addition to this route-running prowess, Olave has lightning speed. He is rumored to have run a 4.38 40-yard dash, so he is a legit vertical threat at all times. He is also a very smart player who routinely finds the soft spots in zone coverage, which gives his quarterback wide-open passing lanes.
Chris Olave: 4 receiving touchdowns against man coverage this season
Most among Big Ten WRs pic.twitter.com/4xWqlFYU3W
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) November 2, 2021
Weaknesses
While Olave does a lot of things well from a technical standpoint, he is limited in some ways physically. At only six-foot-one, he has a smaller catch radius than other wide receivers in this class. This makes him less favorable in contested catch opportunities, where he tends to struggle. This is also due to a lack of playing strength, which also affects him as a ball carrier. He is not a bad player after the catch by any means; he is just not overly creative in the open field and is not a tackle breaker due to his size.
Projection
With his skill set, it seems almost impossible that Olave would be anything other than an impact player in the NFL. A perfect fit for any vertical offense, he can also play from any alignment due to his skilled and thoughtful route-running abilities. A likely first-round pick, he will have a wide variety of suitors due to his scheme versatility. One team that sticks out as a potential suitor for his services is the Los Angeles Chargers, who need a speed threat that can also operate from the slot. Another wide receiver with a first-round grade, the 2022 class promises to be as good as any in recent memory.
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*Top Photo: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY SportsÂ