Embed from Getty Images
NAME: Chris Olave
POSITION: Wide Receiver
SCHOOL: Ohio State
HEIGHT: 6′
WEIGHT: 187 pounds
CAREER BACKGROUND
A native of San Ysidro, California, Chris Olave finished his high school football career in dominating fashion. He hauled in 93 passes for a San Diego Section-record 1,764 yards and 26 touchdowns. Outside of football, Olave starred in basketball and ran track in high school. He was a standout in the 100-meter dash and long jump events, where his best marks were 10.8 seconds and 23-feet, six inches, respectively. Olave was a four-star recruit according to 247Sports, and ultimately decided to play college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
As a senior in 2021, Olave finished with 65 receptions, 936 receiving yards, 13 receiving touchdowns and had a yards per reception average of 14.4. He finished his Ohio State career with 176 receptions, 2,711 receiving yards, 35 receiving touchdowns and had a yards per reception average of 15.4. His career accolades include being a third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2019, as well as a two time first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2020 and 2021. In 2021, Olave also earned a second-team All-American selection and was a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist.
SCOUTING REPORT
Instead of listing positives and negatives for traits, this year we will be listing the best trait of each prospect and work our way down to the biggest area of improvement/absent trait(s), from top to bottom.
Route Running
In every sense of the word, Chris Olave is a technician. This shows up the most in his route running. He is so clean, fluid and crisp from the start of the route, until he finishes it. There is rarely a time where he will lose rhythm. On top of that, Olave does a good job to use soft, subtle steps. He maintains this to the end of the rep and is able to break his routes off smoothly. Olave separates himself in this draft class, with how effectively he sells moves and attacks leverage points. Simply put, he extends the throwing window for his quarterback so easily.
Separation
Piggybacking off of the selling point a bit more, Olave has a wide array of double moves and fakes at his disposal. There is a stutter step move and a staggered step move that the wide receiver has clung to the most. Occasionally, Olave will throw a late head fake in there as well. He is still impactful even without those moves, however. His ability to feel the soft spots in coverage and find the extended windows on elongated plays give him ample separation. Do not take the way he attacks angles lightly.
Release Package
Similar to his double moves during the route, Olave is smooth at the line of scrimmage. His footwork leaves opposing defensive backs guessing on which direction he is going to attack next. The combination of lateral quickness and change of direction skills that Olave possesses can lead to some opponents getting their feet tangled. Overall, this receiver improved against press coverage as his college career went on. His jab steps and vertical push are much more aggressive at this point in his game.
Football IQ
With him being such a technician, there is plenty of deception to Olave’s game. He simply leaves defensive backs guessing in space. Moreover, Olave is stout when it comes to his body positioning between he and the defender. The same thing can be said when he is running spacing routes over the middle of the field, or when running vertically along the sideline. On the other hand, Olave takes crisp angles in space and forces opposing tacklers to make swift decisions. The adjustments and alterations that he adds to his routes also allow him to gain extra space at the beginning of reps.
-
Ep 102: Chiefs, Eagles Advance To The Super Bowl
by Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:26 pm
Hands
From time to time, Olave can catch with his body a bit more than one would like. His stellar body control and patient style help balance that out at the catch point, nevertheless. There are occasional moments where his focus wanes in traffic. Extending his arms fully away from his chest will be something that can be improved with coaching. Olave is seemingly able to soften the ball at the catch point, however. Because of that, he is a rather dependable and reliable pass catcher in all areas of the field. That is massive for him, given what the NFL may think about his “smallish” frame.
Speed
The play speed may not equal the surprisingly strong speed that Olave showed at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. Yet, he is quite deceiving and elusive when he is able to turn on the jets. Olave plays with so much finesse and precision. As a result, there may be times where he is late to fire his speed into action. Or, opportunities are not matched with any sort of attempt whatsoever. Olave may not win a lot of footraces in the open field. But in the end, this wide receiver can be quite dangerous when finding that second gear. Olave has the short area burst and smooth footwork to tangle up defenders.
Run After Catch Ability
There were many moments at Ohio State where it looked like Olave had a crease to work through in the open field. However, he did not always maximize on those opportunities. Olave can sometimes be a bit too patient to move vertically down the field after making the catch. This allows for defenders to catch him from behind. Elsewhere, when Olave has open running lanes, he tends to avoid contact by diving/sliding forward or going out of bounds too often. Creating more yards for himself after the catch will be crucial at the NFL level.
Ball Skills
The way in which Olave adjusts to the football is not the issue here. Making catches consistently in traffic or in contested catch moments is a work in progress. Olave appears to be hit or miss when meeting much more fierce defensive backs at the catch point. That physicality, along with up and down timing, can lead to hiccups. Olave will need to better refine his technique when high pointing the football.
Versatility
While Olave did impress against contact at the line of scrimmage, facing physical opponents in space or at the catch point proved to be a different story. He is good, not great, as a blocker. The same goes for jump ball moments or box-out situations. I would not categorize his approach as passive. Rather, trying to play the finesse game too often in those moments could lead to inconsistencies in the NFL. In the end, Olave will be best suited for a vertical, spread offense. He can still lineup all over the formation. But, the results and tendencies are often the same from Olave and can be picked up quicker by defensive backs.
CHIEFS FIT
The Kansas City Chiefs could present one of the more appealing offensive schemes to someone like Chris Olave. Ohio State’s pass catcher may be best suited to receive numerous vertical opportunities. Kansas City has also been noted heavily for their use of option routes and horizontal concepts. Especially since Patrick Mahomes became the quarterback, those continued variations have grown within the offense. Olave can certainly play bigger than his size, if need be. However, the style of play that he presents could complement the more physical styles of JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling quite efficiently.
Be on the lookout for our final 2022 FPC Chiefs draft prospect profile for tomorrow, on Sunday. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.
– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.
-
Ep 142: Former Washington Quarterback And Super Bowl Champion Doug Williams Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 10:19 pm
Former Washington quarterback and Super Bowl champion Doug Williams joins […]
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Episode 3.2) Offseason Talk with the "Command This!" Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 3:04 am
George Carmi hosts Steve, Dev, and Phil as they discuss the Commanders […]
-
Ep 167: Super Bowl LVII Previewby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 12:33 am
This season premiere featured a preview of the NFL's season finale. In […]
-
2/3 - Tom Brady Retires... For Goodby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's second, and likely final, retirement. […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
1/30 - Conference Championship Recap: Eagles, Chiefs Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
Ian and John recap the Eagles and Chiefs victories on Conference […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Full Press MMA - Friday, February 3rdby Full Press Coverage on February 4, 2023 at 12:00 am
-
Ep. 220 - Kyrie Wants to Leave Yet Another Teamby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 10:26 pm
-
Hawks at Jazzby Broken Controller Media on February 3, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
76ers at Spursby Broken Controller Media on February 3, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Magic at Timberwolvesby Broken Controller Media on February 3, 2023 at 8:00 pm
-
Raptors at Rocketsby Broken Controller Media on February 3, 2023 at 7:00 pm
-
Ep.91: Southern Utah University Head Basketball Coach Todd Simonby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 6:12 pm
-
Hornets at Pistonsby Broken Controller Media on February 3, 2023 at 6:00 pm
-
Ep. 90: Lipscomb University Head Baseball Coach Jeff Forehandby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 5:56 pm
-
Suns at Celticsby Broken Controller Media on February 3, 2023 at 5:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm