Chris Olave

Olave scored 9 TDs against roughly 6.0 expected (+3.0), a finishing-luck overperformance that historically regresses and could soften scoring output even if his target volume holds steady.

New Orleans spent three 2026 draft picks on the WR room, headlined by Jordyn Tyson at No. 8 overall as the new WR2; reporting frames Tyson as complementary rather than a direct threat, but it's the first real target competition Olave has faced as a Saint.

Olave remained on a limited practice workload at mandatory minicamp while finishing recovery from the January 2026 pulmonary blood clot that cost him the 2025 finale; the team calls it a precaution with no setbacks reported, but full-contact clearance for camp is worth tracking.

Olave commands a 32% target share and 0.80 WOPR with 45% of the team's air yards, operating as the clear downfield alpha in a full-time role (84%+ snaps) with usage trending up late in the season.

Tyler Shough returns as the entrenched starter for Year 2, and continued QB growth and rapport is viewed locally as Olave's clearest path to a career-best 2026 season.

Olave is playing on his fifth-year option and reportedly in line for an extension north of $33M/year; a signed second contract would confirm his standing as a long-term franchise cornerstone and remove offseason uncertainty.