Wide Receiver · New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave — 2026 Fantasy Outlook
Analysis by Shawn Childs, from his 2026 guide — his words, unedited.
The case
- · The Saints came into 2025 with an outlook of having the worst offense in the NFL, weighted heavily with expected weakness at quarterback. Surprisingly, New Orleans finished sixth in passing attempts (591) and 10th in passing yards (4,027), but much lower in passing TDs (19 – 26th) and fantasy points (324.65 – 20th in 4-point passing touchdown formats).
- · Olave helped fantasy teams win league and overall championships from Week 15 to Week 17 (6/85/1, 10/148/2, and 8/119/1).
- · Over his final 11 starts (67/919/8), he averaged 18.78 PPR fantasy points per game and 9.3 targets.
- · He’s gained over 1,000 yards three times over his four years in the NFL.
- · Olave comes off career highs in catches (100), receiving yards (1,163), touchdowns (9), and targets (155).
- · New Orleans is expected to extend his contract this summer.
- · The Saints play @TB, ARI, and @ATL from Week 15 to Week 17 this season.
Question marks
- · Olave was discounted in fantasy drafts in 2025 for two reasons: concussion concerns and expected quarterback play.
- · He missed nine games in 2024 due to two concussions.
- · His only missed game in 2025 was in Week 18 due to needing treatment for a blood clot.
Shawn's conclusion
Over the past two seasons, Olave has landed on the injury report with shoulder, hamstring, ankle, hip, back, and concussion issues. He’s played through many injuries, which is a plus, but his length of issues does paint a hint of a red flag, especially coming off a career season with a much higher fantasy price point. Olave tends to be a volume chain mover, but he can beat a defense over the top when a play breaks right for him.
More on Olave
Olave wrapped up his rookie campaign with 72 receptions for 1,042 yards and four touchdowns on 119 targets, but his 60.5% catch rate fell short of his college career. Injuries (a concussion and a hamstring issue) cost him two games. He topped 100 receiving yards three times (9/147, 7/106, and 5/102/1), and notably, every one of his touchdowns came in home games. He finished the season ranked 18th among fantasy receivers in PPR scoring (200.20 points).
In 2023, Olave played in 16 games, missing only Week 15 due to an ankle injury, and improved across the board from his rookie year (87 catches, 1,123 receiving yards, five touchdowns, and 138 targets), which pushed him up to 17th at the position in fantasy points (231.30). His catch rate ticked up slightly to 63.0%, but his average depth of target shrank, as reflected in his 12.9 yards per catch.
He opened the year strong with three productive games (8/112, 6/86, and 8/104), each featuring double-digit targets (10, 11, and 11). Things cooled off when Derek Carr struggled to connect with him in Week 4 (1/4) and Week 5 (2/12/1). Over the next seven weeks, Olave settled into a groove, totaling 43 catches for 572 yards and two scores on 68 targets, anchored by a strong three-game run (6/94/1, 7/114, and 5/119). A late-season ankle injury then limited him to three quiet outings (4/28/1, 3/26, and 3/56/1) before breaking out of that slump with a strong Week 16 (9/123 on 13 targets).
2024 was a tough one for fantasy managers banking on Olave. He hit expectations in four games (4/81, 6/86/1, 8/87, and 8/107), but injuries forced two early exits (1/5 and 1/13), while being held nearly silent in Week 1 (2/11) and Week 5 (2/10). A pair of concussions ultimately cost him nine games on the year.
Olave came into 2025 with an injury risk profile and questionable talent at the quarterback position. He shook those concerns by missing only Week 18 with an illness. The Saints looked his way 155 times, resulting in career highs in catches (100), receiving yards (1,163), and touchdowns (9).
His success led him to climb to sixth in PPR scoring (269.30) while posting difference-maker games from Week 15 to Week 17 (6/85/1, 10/148/2, and 8/119/1). Olave opened the year with at least 10.00 fantasy points in 11 of his first 12 starts, giving him an excellent consistency factor. His other two winning outcomes came in Week 7 (5/98/2) and Week 10 (5/104/1).
Get Shawn's full 2026 Draft Kit — free
Every breakdown like this one, plus his tiers, the top-200 cheat sheet, and how his 2025 season actually graded out. One email, instant download.