Ohio State receivers went back-to-back.
Just one pick after Garrett Wilson was selected by the New York Jets, Chris Olave became the second Ohio State wide receiver selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft when the New Orleans Saints traded up to draft OSU’s all-time receiving touchdowns leader with the No. 11 overall pick on Thursday night.
The Pick: @chrisolave_
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 29, 2022
: 2022 #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/gCm39WvOaz
Olave joins fellow former Ohio State receiver Michael Thomas in New Orleans.
Lets run it @chrisolave_
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) April 29, 2022
“He’s one of the best receivers in the league, to go in there and learn from him is gonna be huge,” Olave said on NFL Network after the Saints drafted him.
"I am going to give the Saints everything I have," - @chrisolave_
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 29, 2022
: 2022 #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/hLfDOvuy9l
Wilson and Olave are the first two Ohio State wide receivers selected in Round 1 since Ted Ginn Jr. (No. 9 overall, Miami Dolphins) and Anthony Gonzalez (No. 32, Indianapolis Colts) were both drafted in the first round in 2007, the only other time Ohio State has had two first-round wide receivers in the same draft. Ohio State has now had 10 all-time first-round wide receivers.
Wilson and Olave were the second and third wide receivers drafted, behind USC’s Drake London, who went eighth overall to the Atlanta Falcons. Their former Ohio State teammate Jameson Williams, who finished his college career at Alabama, was selected one pick after them by the Detroit Lions with the No. 12 overall pick.
Olave heads to the NFL after one of the most legendary careers ever for an Ohio State wide receiver, as he caught a school-record 35 touchdowns over the course of his four years with the Buckeyes.
Known for stepping up in clutch moments, from his two touchdown catches and a blocked punt against Michigan as a true freshman to his 132-yard, two-touchdown game in Ohio State’s 2020 College Football Playoff semifinals win over Clemson, Olave also ranks third in school history with 176 catches and fifth with 2,711 receiving yards.
While he was ranked as only the 399th overall prospect in the 2018 recruiting class, Olave’s elite talent was recognized by Ohio State and has now been recognized by the Saints, as his first-round selection shows his consistent production as a Buckeye is expected to translate to the next level.
Olave becomes the sixth former Buckeye on the Saints’ current roster, joining Thomas, Marshon Lattimore, Pete Werner, Bradley Roby and Nick Vannett.
