Chris Olave
Wide Receiver #12
Chris Olave News
Chris Olave Has a Clear Path to Massive Early-Season Target Share
After an injury-marred 2024 campaign, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave re-emerged as a high-end pass-catcher in 2025. Across 16 games, the 26-year-old recorded 100 catches for 1,163 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 156 targets. Olave finished the season on an absolute tear while playing alongside then-rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, recording 24 catches for 352 yards and four touchdowns across his final three games played. Entering 2026, Olave and Shough look well-positioned to continue building on the chemistry they formed at the end of last season. With Saints rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) starting the year on Injured Reserve, Olave also appears poised to dominate target share in New Orleans, at least early on. Particularly in PPR-scoring formats, Olave carries top-12 fantasy wide receiver upside into 2026.
Sep 3, 2026 12:09 PM EST
Another Healthy Season Could Cement Chris Olave's Place Among the Fantasy Elite
While the discovery of a blood clot in his lung kept New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave out of the final game of the year and prevented him from completing his first 17-game season, his health and availability were major storylines of what would become a career-year and a WR6 finish. While his frightening history of concussions hasn't suddenly gone away, seeing Olave at his peak for a full season has made him an easier click in the early rounds of 2026 drafts, particularly after the way he finished the year with rookie Tyler Shough under center. Shough took over as starter in Week 9, and after a week of adjustment, Olave was the WR2 on a points per game basis from Week 10 through the end of the year, trailing only Puka Nacua. With first-round pick Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) slated to miss at least the first four games of his rookie season after starting the year on injured reserve, Olave could again be hyper-targeted in one of the league's most high-volume, up-tempo offenses, making him a potential week-winner to begin the season. At RotoBaller's WR11, there is still considerable injury concern baked into his profile, but for the risk-tolerant, he is capable of providing WR1 upside while often found closer to a WR2 cost.
Aug 31, 2026 6:45 AM EST
Chris Olave Returns to Practice on Wednesday
After an injury scare on Tuesday, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (upper body) returned to training camp practice on Wednesday, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Olave got the wind knocked out of him when he landed hard on his back during practice on Tuesday, and he sat out the rest of practice. It was a brief scare for the team's best pass-catcher, but the 26-year-old is now completely fine and will be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season in early September. Second-year quarterback Tyler Shough will continue to lean on Olave, with rookie first-rounder Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) set to miss the beginning of the season. Olave, a former 11th overall pick from Ohio State, was rewarded with a four-year, $132 million contract extension last month after setting career highs in catches (100), targets (156), receiving yards (1,163), and touchdowns (nine) in 2025 in his fourth year in the league. With enough volume in head coach Kellen Moore's up-tempo offense, Olave should continue to have a high floor in 2026, making him at least worthy of low-end WR1 status in fantasy football drafts. He is ranked as RotoBaller's WR10 in half-PPR scoring.
Aug 26, 2026 4:16 PM EST
Chris Olave Appears Fine After Late-Practice Scare
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave gave the team a scare near the end of Tuesday's practice, but head coach Kellen Moore believes he's "all good." Katherine Terrell reported that Olave was slow to get up after attempting to catch a deep pass, then walked down the sideline under his own power with athletic trainers before leaving the session. Practice ended only a few plays later. Moore's update afterward takes much of the concern out of the initial scene. Olave is coming off the best season of his career, catching 100 passes for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games. Based on Moore's immediate assessment, Tuesday's exit appears to have been a minor scare rather than something that should significantly alter Olave's fantasy outlook.
Aug 25, 2026 11:48 AM EST
Chris Olave Appears to Get Day Off Thursday
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave appears to be getting the day off Thursday, according to Nick Underhill. Olave was not taking part as the Saints opened their joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams, two days after he was heavily involved against Dallas. There hasn't been any indication from Underhill's initial report that an injury is behind Thursday's absence. Olave is coming off the best season of his career, catching 100 passes for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games while earning second-team All-Pro honors. The Saints also signed him to a multi-year extension shortly before training camp. After a busy summer and a strong showing against the Cowboys earlier this week, Thursday looks like a chance for New Orleans to give its top receiver a break.
Aug 20, 2026 9:46 AM EST
Chris Olave Returns to Practice After Trip to Medical Tent
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (undisclosed) briefly exited joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday before returning to the field, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Olave made an impressive contested catch and then walked off the field with athletic trainers to the medical tent. It is unclear what exactly the physical issue was for Olave, but it obviously was not serious enough for the Saints to shut him down for the rest of practice. First-round rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) looks likely to miss the start of the 2026 regular season due to ongoing hamstring issues, so the Saints worked out receivers Chase Claypool and Josh Reynolds on Tuesday. Olave is the team's unquestioned WR1 heading into his fifth NFL season after being a first-round pick back in 2022. Even with rookie QB Tyler Shough taking over last year and while missing the regular-season finale with a blood-clot issue, Olave managed career highs in catches (100), targets (156), receiving yards (1,163), and touchdowns (nine) in 16 starts. Olave should be a lock for another 1,000-yard season in 2026 in an up-tempo offense if he is healthy. Consider him a top-15 fantasy wideout.
Aug 18, 2026 4:13 PM EST
Chris Olave a Flashy Option in Saints Offense Trending Upward
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is trending up ahead of the 2026 season. Last year was pivotal for Olave, who needed to prove that he could both produce and stay healthy over a full season. He ended up having a great year as he caught 100 passes for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns across 16 games. All three of those statistics represented career highs, and he ended up finishing as the overall WR6 in PPR leagues. Although Olave is not a lock to replicate his top-six campaign from last year, he's still worth drafting at his ADP of 25.1. He's being drafted as an early third-round pick in most fantasy drafts, and he is typically the 11th receiver off the board. That falls in line with his ranking as the WR11 in RotoBaller's latest redraft rankings for 2026. We're intrigued about the possibility of drafting Olave, who is the top pass-catching option in an offense trending upward. Tyler Shough is due for a big Year 2 at quarterback, and the addition of Jordyn Tyson and Travis Etienne Jr. should help elevate this offense to the next level. Olave is a very strong WR1 for fantasy managers who choose to spend their first 1-2 picks on a running back or tight end.
Aug 16, 2026 5:53 PM EST
Chris Olave on the Practice Field on Thursday
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was seen on the practice field at training camp on Thursday after he was forced to leave Wednesday's practice with a trainer due to a heat-related issue. Olave dealt with a blood-clot issue late last year that forced him out of the regular-season finale, but he's past that and is without restrictions in training camp this summer. The Saints likely exercised precaution in removing Olave from the field on Wednesday, and it looks like he's just fine. The 26-year-old former first-rounder in 2022 from Ohio State enters his fifth year in the NFL as the Saints' unquestioned WR1, especially after inking a four-year, $132 million extension with the team recently. Despite missing a game and working with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough in 2025, Olave set career highs in catches (100), targets (156), receiving yards (1,163), and touchdowns (nine), giving him a pretty high fantasy floor as at least a low-end WR1 target in upcoming fantasy football drafts. Rookie first-rounder Jordyn Tyson could take some targets away, but there should be enough to go around in head coach Kellen Moore's up-tempo offense.
Aug 6, 2026 9:28 AM EST
Chris Olave Exits Practice With Apparent Heat Issue
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave left Wednesday's practice with a trainer in what appeared to be a heat-related issue, according to Erin Summers. The team did not immediately provide an update, so it is unclear whether Olave will miss any additional practice time. He is coming off career highs of 100 receptions, 1,163 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns across 16 games last season. His status at the Saints' next practice should provide a better indication of whether there is anything to worry about.
Aug 5, 2026 9:08 AM EST
Chris Olave Returns to Team Drills
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (chest) returned to team drills on Friday, according to Ross Jackson of LouisianSports.net. The 26-year-old recently signed a four-year contract extension worth up to $132 million after breaking out in 2025. Olave was medically cleared after dealing with a blood clot that sidelined him for the closing game of the 2025 season, which was his only absence of the year. The former Ohio St. star will look to build on last season after hauling in 100 catches for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns on 156 targets. He should see more favorable matchups after the team selected Jordyn Tyson with the eighth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. On paper, the two are perfect complements to each other's game. Additionally, Olave will get to work with Tyler Shough for a full season, which could lead to bigger statistical numbers this year.
Jul 31, 2026 1:04 PM EST
Chris Olave Lands Four-Year Extension With Saints
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave has agreed to a four-year extension worth up to $132 million, including $90 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter. His agents, Drew and Jason Rosenhaus, provided the terms to ESPN. The deal follows a career year in which Olave caught 100 of 156 targets for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns over 16 starts, earning second-team All-Pro honors. It was his third 1,000-yard season in four years, with an injury-shortened 2024 as the only exception. New Orleans had already exercised Olave's fifth-year option for 2026, but the extension now keeps him under team control well beyond the end of his rookie contract. The contract does not alter his immediate role, but it gives dynasty managers long-term stability around a receiver who remains the focal point of the Saints' passing game.
Jul 30, 2026 1:07 PM EST
Chris Olave Sitting Out of Team Drills Due to Contract-Related Issues
New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore indicated that wide receiver Chris Olave's lack of participation in team drills to begin training camp is related to the contract/business side of things and not because of his previous medical issue, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. The 26-year-old former 11th overall selection from Ohio State in the 2022 NFL draft missed the end of last season due to a blood-clot issue, but that is all cleared up now, and Olave indicated that he stopped taking blood-thinners before the start of camp. Olave is approaching the final year of his current deal and is hoping to reach an extension with the Saints before the start of the 2026 regular season. Despite missing a game in 2025 and working with a rookie quarterback in Tyler Shough, Olave excelled with career highs in catches (100), targets (156), receiving yards (1,163), and touchdowns (nine) in his fourth year in the NFL. There should be more target competition after the Saints took receiver Jordyn Tyson in the first round in April, but Olave should still have enough looks in Moore's up-tempo offense to make him a high-floor, low-end WR1 target in fantasy football drafts this fall.
Jul 29, 2026 9:02 AM EST
Chris Olave a Full-Go With No Restrictions for Training Camp
New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said that wide receiver Chris Olave (illness) is now a full-go and won't face any restrictions in training camp, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Olave said earlier this summer that he was expected to get off blood-thinners before the start of camp. He has been limited all offseason due to the blood clot that he dealt with in January. The 26-year-old is read to participate in practice this summer despite still not having a long-term contract extension. It's all good news for the former 11th overall pick's 2026 outlook despite ending last year on the sidelines due to his blood-clot issue. Olave set career highs in 2025 in receptions (100), targets (156), receiving yards (1,163), and touchdowns (nine) in 16 starts in head coach Kellen Moore's up-tempo offense. The move to rookie QB Tyler Shough actually helped his cause, too, and should give him momentum going into his fifth NFL season. There will be added competition for targets after the Saints drafted wideout Jordyn Tyson in the first round, but Olave should still have a safe floor as a low-end WR1/high-end WR2 for fantasy managers as long as he can stay healthy.
Jul 28, 2026 3:10 PM EST
Chris Olave Contract Talks Not Expected to Affect Camp Participation
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave and the team remain in talks on a contract extension, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. The current expectation is that the negotiations will not affect Olave's participation when training camp opens. He is entering the final year of his rookie deal after catching 100 passes for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games last season, all career highs. Olave also earned second-team All-Pro honors and reached 1,000 receiving yards for the third time in four years. His contract status is separate from the blood clot discovered in his lung before the 2025 finale, an issue that kept him out of team drills during part of the offseason program. The Saints are still working toward a new deal, but there is no indication that the talks themselves will keep Olave off the field at the start of camp.
Jul 25, 2026 12:45 PM EST
Chris Olave Could Be Poised for a Career Year in 2026
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave put together the best season of his career in 2025, recording 100 catches for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns on 156 targets across 16 games. Olave was held out of Saints OTAs in the spring due to a blood clot issue, but he's expected to be full go for the start of training camp. The 26-year-old will get some new target competition in New Orleans this season from rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (undisclosed), whom the Saints selected eighth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, Olave should still be the number one option in his team's passing game, at least to start the year. New Orleans also looks to be on track to have their best offense in a while, as the team will have emerging quarterback Tyler Shough under center for his first full season as the starter. Olave could be in line for a monster year in 2026 and profiles as a prime target for dynasty contenders even with his value surging.
Jul 17, 2026 12:09 PM EST
Chris Olave Wants to Get a New Deal Done Before Training Camp
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave said he would love to get something done on a contract extension before training camp this summer to "not affect team chemistry," according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Olave seemed optimistic during organized team activities that he and the team could get something worked out soon. The Saints have been in talks with the former first-rounder since last year about a new deal, and both sides have spoken positively of the situation. Although Olave wasn't a full participant in OTAs and minicamp as he recovered from a blood-clot issue that kept him out of Week 18 last year, he spent the offseason around the team's facility, which is a good sign. The 25-year-old wideout is expected to come off blood-thinners at the end of the month and should be a full-go for training camp at the end of July. In 16 starts in 2025 in his fourth year in the NFL, Olave meshed nicely with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough and finished with career highs in catches (100), targets (156), receiving yards (1,163), and touchdowns (nine). In head coach Kellen Moore's rising offense, Olave is a clear WR1 fantasy target with a stable floor.
Jun 24, 2026 11:38 AM EST
Chris Olave Cleared After Missing End of 2025 With Blood Clots
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (illness) was recently cleared after missing the end of the 2025 season due to blood clots, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. Olave is expected to stop taking blood-thinners at the end of June and be ready to rock for the start of training camp at the end of July. Despite missing a game last year, the 25-year-old former 11th overall pick in 2022 out of Ohio State had a career-high 1,163 receiving yards, a career-high 100 catches (156 targets), and a career-best nine touchdowns in 16 games played in his fourth year in the NFL. Head coach Kellen Moore said earlier this offseason that Olave didn't have any issues in his recovery from blood clots, so he should be a full-go for training camp and the start of the 2026 regular season this fall. The Saints added rookie Jordyn Tyson in the first round back in April, but Olave should remain the team's unquestioned WR1 in an offense on the upswing under Moore and second-year quarterback Tyler Shough, who exceeded expectations in his rookie campaign. In what should be another pass-happy offense, Olave has a stable floor as a low-end WR1 target for fantasy managers in 2026.
Jun 23, 2026 5:26 PM EST
Chris Olave Being Held Out During Team Drills
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (illness) has been limited to individual drills during mini camp while he recovers from a blood clot issue. Olave has been going through individual walkthroughs and OTAs, but isn't doing any contact drills yet. Head coach Kellen Moore recently mentioned that Olave is currently on track with no issues. The plan is for Olave to stop taking blood thinners on June 29, which should mean he'll resume normal football activities after that. This past season, Olave posted 100 receptions, 1,163 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns in 16 games with the Saints. He's entering the final year of his rookie contract and could be headed towards a massive payday soon.
Jun 16, 2026 5:25 PM EST
Chris Olave Still Recovering From Blood Clot
New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore said that the team has kept wide receiver Chris Olave (illness) out of team drills this offseason because he's still recovering from the blood clot that kept him out late last season, according to Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune. Olave missed two games late in the year, but the former 11th overall pick in 2022 out of Ohio State still managed to record a career-high 1,163 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 100 receptions in 16 starts for the Saints in his fourth year in the NFL. The 25-year-old quickly developed chemistry with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough in 2025 in Moore's pass-happy offense, and his arrow will be pointing up again in 2026 as long as his blood-clot issue doesn't linger going into training camp and the start of the 2026 regular season early in September. The Saints have more weapons on offense around Olave in rookie receiver Jordyn Tyson and running back Travis Etienne Jr. out of the backfield, but he should still at least be considered a low-end WR1 in fantasy drafts this year.
Jun 10, 2026 4:46 PM EST
Chris Olave Still a High-Upside Dynasty Swing for the Risk Tolerant
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave finished 2025 as the WR6 in half-PPR formats, and his pace was even stronger following the takeover of the starting quarterback spot by rookie Tyler Shough. In the eight games Olave played with the first-year signal caller starting under center, he racked up a 17-game pace of 102 catches for 1,403 yards and 13 touchdowns, good enough to make him the WR3 over that span. With a full offseason together and Olave reportedly feeling no lingering effects of the blood clot that kept him out of the season finale, fantasy managers can expect a heightened chemistry in 2026. The Saints selected Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with the eighth pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, adding a significant level of target competition that Olave has not faced in some time, but in Kellen Moore's up-tempo, high-volume offense, there should be no shortage of opportunities, and Olave could potentially benefit from softer coverages moving forward. Still owning a significant history of concussions, Olave will always carry a degree of risk, but at RotoBaller's dynasty WR15, the soon-to-be-26-year-old wideout should continue to return value as long as he's on the field.
Jun 8, 2026 5:37 AM EST
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