Chris Olave is a WR for The Ohio State University, and is heading into his senior season. He was a star in both 2019 and 2020, and many people expected him to declare for the 2021 draft. However, he opted to return to school, and all signs point to him declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft. Here’s a season preview of Olave:
Strengths: Chris Olave is a dynamic WR for Ohio State. He is a very good route runner, displaying quickness and sharp cuts. He can generate separation well with both his speed and his route savviness, often putting defensive backs in a bind. He displays a good ability to change up his speed in his routes effortlessly. Olave is a very reliable receiver with strong hands, and is extremely consistent in getting open and catching the ball running across the middle of the field. He has good focus and body control, which is on full display as he makes catches along the sideline. He is somewhat shifty and can make a few people miss after the catch, displaying solid acceleration. He has a good football IQ, as he can find open holes in zone coverage, which is a great trait. He proved himself to be Justin Fields’ safety net option, since Fields would often look to Olave whenever he was in a bind and, more often than not, he would be open. That’s something I definitely love to see from receivers. In addition to his receiving ability, Olave is a very willing blocker, often taking on players in the secondary and keeping them out of the running lanes.
Weaknesses: Although Olave’s route running is pretty good, his routes could be more crisp. He rounds them and lacks sharp, sudden cuts, and it would benefit him to improve those things this season before he makes a jump to the next level. Olave doesn’t have the greatest athletic profile either: He isn’t a speedster and isn’t the greatest jump ball receiver. He can get pushed around a little bit in contested catch situations due to his lack of size (189 lbs). I don’t hold these against him too much, though, because he still has a fairly complete game without them; that being said, they are still worth noting and being improved upon. Because he isn’t a speedster, he isn’t elite after the catch either. He can make some guys miss, but won’t wow you with his shiftiness like some other WRs will.
Bottom Line: If I had to describe Chris Olave in one word, it would be ‘technician’. He is a very well rounded wide receiver and can do a lot of things well. He also has a high football IQ, which will serve him very well. He lacks the top end physical and athletic traits but that doesn’t bother me much. Olave will get himself open, run good routes, and catch the ball. If he works on being more sudden in his routes and/or improves his speed when he returns for the 2021 season, he will become an even better WR than he already is. In my opinion, Olave’s stature (6’1″, 189 lbs) and skill set make him best suited to be a very good slot receiver at the NFL level.
