Chris Olave

Chris Olave enters the 2025 fantasy football season as a talented wide receiver with proven production but also important injury concerns to consider. After two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons early in his career, Olave’s 2024 campaign was cut short due to two concussions, which ended his season after just eight games. Despite these setbacks, he showed strong performance when healthy, averaging over 80 receiving yards in most games he completed and maintaining an impressive yards per route run metric. The Saints have made significant changes on their coaching staff and at quarterback, adding new head coach Kellen Moore and rookie signal-caller Tyler Shough, which adds some uncertainty but also potential for creative offensive usage benefiting Olave.

The biggest question mark for Olave in 2025 is his health and ability to avoid further concussions. He has suffered multiple concussions since entering the NFL in 2022, missing a total of 10 games in 2024 alone due to head injuries. The Saints, prioritizing his safety, shut him down early last season, and there have been no reported setbacks since, indicating he’s ready to return. However, the concussion history is likely factored into his draft-day value, making him a late-round target in many leagues despite his upside. If Olave stays on the field, he should be considered a solid WR2 with potential to exceed expectations, thanks partly to the expected increase in passing volume due to the Saints’ anticipated negative game scripts.

The quarterback change from veteran Derek Carr to rookie Tyler Shough or sophomore Spencer Rattler raises questions about Olave’s production ceiling. The new head coach, Kellen Moore, is known for creative designs that maximally leverage wide receiver skill sets, particularly slot usage, which could be a boon for Olave. Moore has previously enhanced receivers’ roles by increasing their touches underneath and in the slot, which contrasts with how Olave was mostly used deep in New Orleans before. This shift in offensive philosophy might boost Olave’s target share and efficiency, providing a cushion against inconsistent quarterback play.

Overall, Chris Olave is viewed as a high-upside WR3 and a strong value pick in 2025 fantasy drafts. He is available outside the top-35 wide receivers, making him an appealing option for managers looking to capitalize on his talent at a discount. His youth, skill talent, and potential new usage under Moore support confidence in his fantasy ceiling. That said, his concussion history and unknown quarterback situation make him a bit of a boom-or-bust option. Drafting Olave with a mid-to-late round pick while monitoring his health status throughout the preseason is a smart strategy for fantasy owners this year.

Updated 08/23/2025