Chris Olave’s first appearance on the NFL Top 100 came in at No. 64, and for the Saints receiver, that number says as much about the league’s blind spots as it does about his game.
The annual list is always messy, but Olave’s placement stands out because it comes from the players themselves. That matters.
It’s a real sign of respect from the guys who have to chase him, cover him, and live with his route running for four quarters. It also marks a clear contrast with the way other NFL evaluators have viewed him.
That split is the story here. ESPN’s annual positional rankings left Olave completely out of the top 10 and even outside the six honorable mentions.
The players, meanwhile, slotted him at No. 64, ahead of names like A.J. Brown and division rival Drake London on the list.
The timing makes the recognition hit even harder. Just a year ago, Olave’s 2024 season was defined by repeated concussions that raised real questions about whether he might step away from football altogether. Instead of fading out, he answered with the best season of his career.
In 2025, Olave posted 1,163 receiving yards, 100 catches, and 9 touchdowns. That made him only the second player in Saints history to reach 100 receptions in a season, joining Michael Thomas. He did it while carrying a passing game that did not have elite, consistent quarterback play.
For a receiver who was the clear focal point of the offense, the production was impossible to ignore. Defenses knew where the ball was going, and they still couldn’t keep him from piling up top-10 numbers across nearly every major receiving category.
So while No. 64 is a milestone - his first time on the NFL Top 100 - it also feels like a starting point rather than a finish line. The players have already put him on the board. The next step is making that number look too low.
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Saints Camp Could Flip Three Key Position Battles Fast
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Brock Rechsteiner is one name worth watching in that receiver mix, particularly if the Saints staff sees enough to trust him as the roster starts to take shape. Up front, Jeremiah Wright also has a path to force his way into the conversation at right guard if he develops quickly enough, which would be a notable swing for a team still sorting out how its best 53 might come together. [Read more 🡒]