The 2023 NFL offseason is in full swing, and with that, training camps edge ever closer to starting. We have seen a new wave of players enter the team both via the draft and free agency, but there is also a large group of returning players from last season as well. This has led to some debates to be had regarding which players will have the largest impact on the roster for the 2023 season.
Each day we will be counting down the 25 most important Saints for the 2023 season. This will be split up into the following categories:
- Recap of their 2022 season
- Projecting their 2023 success
- What is the biggest question mark for them in 2023?
The sixth-ranked player by the Saints Wire staff is wide receiver Chris Olave:
Background
Olave is yet another Saints fan favorite to come from Ohio State. He had a good career in college, becoming one of the premiere options in the country despite always playing in a loaded offense.
He had 2,702 receiving yards on 175 catches and 35 touchdowns during his career. He was named to three All-Big Ten teams during his career with two of them being first teams.
The Saints drafted him with the 11th pick of the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.
2022 Recap
Olave had has impressive of a rookie year as you could have asked for with the subpar quarterback play that New Orleans saw all last season. He has 72 catches for 1,042 yards and four touchdowns.
He led receivers in receiving yards per game, finishing second overall in yards and tied for second in catches. Olave wasn’t a finalist for offensive rookie of the year despite very similar numbers to the eventual winner, his college teammate, Garrett Wilson. He was a solid and consistent option as a rookie, looking like the best player on the offense at times.
2023 Outlook
Many people would automatically assume that Michael Thomas would be your top option for next season, but Olave has a good claim to that title as well.
With Carr in town, there’s a bit of a clean slate in terms of who will be his go-to target. Either way, Olave is going to be a huge part of the offense this season as he tries to avoid a sophomore slump.
Biggest question: Does he have what it takes to lead an offense as the WR1?
Olave has proven to be plenty talented as a route runner, but some people might be concerned about a player of is size actually being your primary target. With Thomas healthy for now, Olave might not have to prove it this year, but some growth towards being a better scoring option might silence whatever doubters he still has.
