5 wide receivers New England Patriots could take in the 2022 NFL Draft
New England Patriots draft target No. 2: Chris Olave
Chris Olave was set to be one of the top wide receivers in the draft last year, but he opted to play out his final season with the Ohio State Buckeyes to improve his draft status. While he certainly did that, Olave still isn’t the top wideout on the board, although he seems to be a surefire first round pick at this point though. Chances are he could end up being available when the Patriots are up at No. 21 in the first round.
Olave broke out during his sophomore season, and while his junior season was solid, he only played in seven games, leading to a bit of a dropoff in production. Olave returned for one more season and put together his best season yet (65 REC, 936 YDS, 13 TD) setting himself up well for draft. Now Olave is one of the top prospects available, and he very well may end up being New England’s top pick this year.
Olave is pretty much what every wide receiver needs to be in order to be successful in the NFL; he’s fast and has great hands. Olave is probably the best route runner in the draft, and his ability to get open all over the field is exactly what the New England Patriots offense needs. If you need him to get six yards on a 3rd & 5, he can do it. And if you dial up a deep bomb down the field, chances are he will get open and catch that too.
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The main concern with Olave is that his frame (6’1, 189 lbs) may prevent him from playing as an outside receiver (granted, if he puts on more muscle that goes away). Opposing cornerbacks will eat him up on the outside, which is where he would be asked to lineuo most of the time. Olave could play in the slot, but then you are asking a guy like Jakobi Meyers to play on the outside, which may just lead to the same problem Olave has.
Olave could conceivably start off in the slot, but he’s going to need to be able to get open on the outside if he wants to make it at the NFL level. He’s got fantastic traits and should be successful right off the bat regardless, but the Patriots are going to have to determine whether they think he can take that next step. If he’s available at No. 21, New England should absolutely take him, unless this player happens to still be on the board…