His 2026 performance has been especially productive, with 537 receiving yards and 39 catches in five games.
Chris Olave Player Profile
- Full Name: Christian Josiah Olave
- Date of Birth: June 27, 2000
- Age: 26 years old
- Birthplace: San Ysidro, California
- Height: 6 feet 0 inches (6’0″)
- Weight: 187 pounds
- Position: Wide Receiver
- NFL Team: New Orleans Saints
- College: Ohio State University
- NFL Draft: 2022, Round 1
- Overall Draft Pick: 11th
- NFL Debut: 2022
Olave joined New Orleans as a first-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. His college experience at Ohio State helped prepare him for professional football, where he quickly earned a regular role in the Saints’ passing offense.
Chris Olave Career Statistics (2022–2026)
Olave’s career numbers show consistent receiving production, including three seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards from 2022 through 2025.
The following table summarizes his regular-season receiving statistics.
| Season | GP | REC | Targets | Yards | Y/R | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 15 | 72 | 119 | 1,042 | 14.5 | 4 |
| 2023 | 16 | 87 | 138 | 1,123 | 12.9 | 5 |
| 2024 | 8 | 32 | 44 | 400 | 12.5 | 1 |
| 2025 | 16 | 100 | 156 | 1,163 | 11.6 | 9 |
| 2026* | 5 | 39 | 54 | 537 | 13.8 | 1 |
| Career | 60 | 330 | 511 | 4,265 | 12.9 | 20 |
*2026 statistics are through the first five games. Figures are based on the supplied dataset and have not been independently verified.
His career averages include 71.1 receiving yards per game and approximately 5.5 receptions per game.
Chris Olave Advanced Receiving Statistics
Beyond total receptions and yards, Olave’s first-down production, catch percentage, and yards after catch help explain his role in the offense.
| Season | Catch Rate | First Downs | Longest Catch | YAC | Snap Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 60.5% | 48 | 53 | 210 | 66% |
| 2023 | 63.0% | 57 | 51 | 347 | 74% |
| 2024 | 72.7% | 22 | 39 | 121 | 59% |
| 2025 | 64.1% | 53 | 62 | 289 | 84% |
| 2026* | 72.2% | 29 | 47 | 121 | 86% |
| Career | 64.6% | 209 | 62 | 1,088 | — |
Olave’s catch rate has improved from 60.5% during his rookie season to 72.2% through five games in 2026. His increased snap share also shows how important he has become to New Orleans.
Chris Olave Season-by-Season Performance
2022: Strong Rookie Season
Olave made an immediate impact during his first NFL season. He played 15 games and finished with more than 1,000 receiving yards.
| Statistic | 2022 Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 15 |
| Games Started | 9 |
| Targets | 119 |
| Receptions | 72 |
| Receiving Yards | 1,042 |
| Receiving Touchdowns | 4 |
| Yards Per Reception | 14.5 |
| Receiving Yards Per Game | 69.5 |
| Receiving First Downs | 48 |
| Offensive Snaps | 607 |
His performance earned him fourth place in Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
2023: Continued Development
Olave improved his receiving totals during his second season. He caught 87 passes and exceeded 1,100 receiving yards.
| Statistic | 2023 Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 16 |
| Games Started | 11 |
| Targets | 138 |
| Receptions | 87 |
| Receiving Yards | 1,123 |
| Receiving Touchdowns | 5 |
| Yards Per Reception | 12.9 |
| Receiving First Downs | 57 |
| Offensive Snaps | 814 |
His increased target volume reflected a larger role in the passing offense. He also recorded 57 receiving first downs, the highest total in his first four seasons.
2024: Injury-Shortened Season
Injuries limited Olave to eight games during the 2024 season. Although his total production declined, he remained an important receiving option when available.
| Statistic | 2024 Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 8 |
| Games Started | 8 |
| Targets | 44 |
| Receptions | 32 |
| Receiving Yards | 400 |
| Receiving Touchdowns | 1 |
| Yards Per Reception | 12.5 |
| Catch Rate | 72.7% |
| Receiving First Downs | 22 |
| Offensive Snaps | 315 |
Olave averaged 50 receiving yards per game. His catch rate was higher than in either of his first two seasons, although the smaller sample makes direct comparisons less reliable.
2025: Career-Best Receiving Production
Olave returned to strong form in 2025, posting career highs in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
| Statistic | 2025 Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 16 |
| Games Started | 16 |
| Targets | 156 |
| Receptions | 100 |
| Receiving Yards | 1,163 |
| Receiving Touchdowns | 9 |
| Yards Per Reception | 11.6 |
| Receiving First Downs | 53 |
| Longest Reception | 62 yards |
| Air Yards | 1,816 |
| End-Zone Targets | 12 |
| Offensive Snaps | 887 |
Olave’s 100 receptions marked an important career milestone. He also received AP All-Pro Second Team recognition according to the supplied information.
His nine receiving touchdowns represented his highest single-season total.
Chris Olave 2026 Season Statistics
Through five games in 2026, Olave has continued to produce as the Saints’ leading receiving option.
Receptions
39
Receiving yards
537
Yards/game
107.4
| Statistic | 2026 Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 5 |
| Games Started | 5 |
| Targets | 54 |
| Receptions | 39 |
| Receiving Yards | 537 |
| Receiving Touchdowns | 1 |
| Yards Per Reception | 13.8 |
| Yards Per Game | 107.4 |
| Catch Percentage | 72.2% |
| Receiving First Downs | 29 |
| Longest Reception | 47 yards |
| Offensive Snaps | 301 |
| Snap Share | 86% |
His average of 107.4 receiving yards per game is considerably higher than his career average.
Chris Olave 2026 Game-by-Game Stats
The following table shows Olave’s performance across the opening five games of the season.
| Date | Opponent | REC | TGT | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep. 13 | @ Detroit | 10 | 13 | 182 | 0 |
| Sep. 20 | @ Baltimore | 8 | 10 | 86 | 1 |
| Sep. 27 | vs. Las Vegas | 9 | 13 | 107 | 0 |
| Oct. 5 | vs. Atlanta | 8 | 12 | 116 | 0 |
| Oct. 11 | vs. Minnesota | 4 | 6 | 46 | 0 |
| Total | 5 Games | 39 | 54 | 537 | 1 |
Receiving Yards by Game
2026 season, first five games
Olave’s best performance came against Detroit, when he caught 10 passes for 182 yards. He also recorded more than 100 receiving yards against Las Vegas and Atlanta.
His lowest receiving total during this period came against Minnesota, where he finished with four catches for 46 yards.
Chris Olave Career Performance Comparison
Comparing his rookie season with his 2025 campaign and early 2026 production reveals several changes in his playing role.
| Performance Metric | 2022 | 2025 | 2026* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receptions Per Game | 4.8 | 6.3 | 7.8 |
| Receiving Yards Per Game | 69.5 | 72.7 | 107.4 |
| Yards Per Reception | 14.5 | 11.6 | 13.8 |
| Catch Percentage | 60.5% | 64.1% | 72.2% |
| Targets Per Game | 7.9 | 9.8 | 10.8 |
| Snap Share | 66% | 84% | 86% |
The numbers suggest three important developments.
Greater receiving volume: Olave is averaging more targets and receptions per game in 2026 than in his earlier seasons.
Improved catch efficiency: His catch percentage has increased despite receiving more targets per game.
Larger offensive role: His snap share has risen from 66% in 2022 to 86% through five games in 2026.
These figures indicate increased involvement, although five games are not enough to establish a full-season trend.
Chris Olave Fantasy Football Analysis
Olave’s target volume and receiving yardage make him an important player in fantasy football.
| Fantasy Factor | 2026 Performance | Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| Target Volume | 10.8 per game | High |
| Receptions | 7.8 per game | Strong PPR value |
| Receiving Yards | 107.4 per game | High production |
| Touchdowns | 1 in 5 games | Limited scoring |
| Snap Share | 86% | Regular starter |
| Catch Percentage | 72.2% | Efficient |
| Overall Outlook | Primary receiving option | Strong weekly potential |
Olave’s high reception totals are particularly useful in point-per-reception (PPR) leagues.
However, his touchdown production remains an area to watch. Despite accumulating 537 receiving yards, he has scored only one receiving touchdown through five games.
Chris Olave 2026 Season Projections
If Olave maintains his current averages throughout a 17-game regular season, his projected totals would be:
| Statistic | Current 5 Games | 17-Game Pace |
|---|---|---|
| Targets | 54 | 184 |
| Receptions | 39 | 133 |
| Receiving Yards | 537 | 1,826 |
| Receiving Touchdowns | 1 | 3–4 |
| Receiving First Downs | 29 | 99 |
These are mathematical projections based on his first five games, not guaranteed results. Injuries, opponent strength, quarterback performance, and changes in offensive strategy could affect his final numbers.
Final Analysis
Chris Olave’s career statistics show his development from a promising first-round draft pick into a major contributor for the New Orleans Saints.
His early success included consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2022 and 2023. After an injury-shortened 2024 campaign, he returned with career-best receiving totals in 2025.
Through five games in 2026, Olave has maintained a high level of production, averaging 7.8 receptions and 107.4 receiving yards per game.
His receiving volume, growing offensive responsibility, and ability to create first downs remain central to his value. If he stays healthy and continues receiving regular targets, Olave has the opportunity to finish 2026 with another strong statistical season.
