2022 NFL Draft: Contract details released for Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are making a big commitment to their new first-round pick. Former Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Olave is getting a four-year deal worth $19.2 million, fully guaranteed. The rookie contract includes a fifth-year option for the 2026 season. It also comes with an $11.1 million signing bonus and a $3.5 million cap hit for the Saints in 2022.

The Saints drafted Olave with the 11th overall pick on Thursday night of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was the third receiver to come off of the board after USC’s Drake London and his former teammate Garrett Wilson.

After hearing his name called, the former Buckeye tweeted, “New Orleans can’t wait to get to work.”

ESPN draft experts argued after the draft which first-round receiver will make the biggest impact in year one for their team. Todd McShay thinks it will be the new Saint.

“It has to be Chris Olave with the New Orleans Saints,” McShay said. “He’s a smooth route runner who can take the top off the defense, and considering the Saints lacked a single 700-plus-yard receiver last season, he’s likely in line for a big role right out of the gate.”

Saints trade up for Chris Olave

New Orleans couldn’t wait to draft Chris Olave. They traded up with the Washington Commanders to get him. The Commanders got the Saints’ No. 16 overall pick, as well as a third-round and fourth-round pick as part of the trade.

The San Marcos, Cali. native was rated four-stars, according to the On3 Consensus. Olave was the No. 68 wide receiver and the No. 338 player in the country in the 2018 recruiting class.

Olave’s collegiate career began in 2018, where he played in seven games with 12 receptions, 197 yards and three touchdowns. In 2019, he upped his production to 48 receptions for 840 yards and 12 touchdowns. During the 2020 season, Olave caught 50 passes for 729 yards and seven touchdowns. This past season, Olave had his best year yeet with 65 receptions for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Overall, Olave caught 35 touchdown passes in his Ohio State career, setting a new Buckeyes record for career touchdowns. The wideout continued to impress at the NFL Scouting Combine, posting one of the fastest 40-yard dash times among all wide receivers there.