Feb. 17, 2026, 7:55 a.m. CT

Pro Football Focus has begun to roll out its annual top 101 players rankings, and New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave made the cut. The team’s leading wideout looked like his old self with Tyler Shough throwing the ball his way in the back half of 2025, and if not for a late-season blood clot scare he would have played in all 17 games. That’s a big step forward after a series of concussions ended his 2024 campaign early.

Expectations are high for Olave going into 2026. Here’s why PFF is so high on him, ranking Olave at No. 97 out of the 101 best players of 2025. That put him ahead of perennial Pro Bowlers like Chris Jones and Derrick Henry, as well as Los Angeles Chargers star quarterback Justin Herbert:

First and foremost, Olave logged a career-high 887 snaps in 2025, playing in every game except the Saints’ season finale. Among the 43 wide receivers with at least 25 targets from the slot, Olave ranked 10th in PFF receiving grade on those plays (82.5). Furthermore, his 57 targets from the slot were the most among receivers without a single drop on such targets.

Olave had a big year with Shough at quarterback, and he figures to see plenty of targets again in 2026. That doesn’t mean he should be asked to go it alone again. Even with Devaughn Vele and Ja’Lynn Polk returning from injuries after last year’s trades, the Saints should add more firepower to the receiving corps. Drafting someone early like Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Makai Lemon (USC) or Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) is worth considering, but don’t overlook prospects in Rounds 2 or 3. It’s a good year to need a receiver with so many options making their case. If the Saints can find a replacement for Rashid Shaheed in the lineup next to Olave, that might create a rising tide that lifts all ships.

PFF will release more picks for their top 101 list throughout the week, with the final 20 players being revealed on Friday, Feb. 20. We’ll keep an eye out to see which of Olave’s teammates join him.

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