New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is one of the hardest players to rank in fantasy football this year. The former Ohio State star started his career with two top-25 seasons at the position, but significant concussion concerns have severely impacted the player’s value.
According to PFSN’s Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Olave is one of only six players to be traded away in over 60% of analyzed trades involving them this offseason.
But should managers really be moving on from the receiver? Or is 2025 the perfect opportunity to add the Saints’ WR1?
Why Fantasy Managers Are Worried About Chris Olave
The red flags surrounding Olave are obvious. The receiver is on a struggling team with a second-round rookie quarterback as the favorite to start under center, and he missed nine games last season with multiple concussions.
Talent surpasses most things in dynasty, but the very real possibility that Olave’s career could be cut short is too great a concern to ignore for many fantasy managers. Through just three seasons, Olave has already suffered at least four known concussions during his professional career.
The team’s quarterback situation isn’t helping Olave’s value, either. Tyler Shough was a popular prospect among NFL Draft analysts, but he was ranked outside the top three quarterbacks pre-draft in a class that was believed to be weak at the position. Spencer Rattler is Shough’s most notable rival for the starting job, having shown flashes of potential in his rookie year, but he also lost all six of his starts in 2024.
Is This a Buying Opportunity for Fantasy Managers?
Despite the obvious concerns, the fact remains that Olave has been a target hog in New Orleans and was the WR16 (PPR) in 2023. He also has Kellen Moore, fresh off a Super Bowl win as the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive coordinator, calling plays as the new Saints head coach.
Olave has a solid receiving partner in Rashid Shaheed, who also missed most of 2024 through injury, but has the speed to open things up for Olave’s work underneath. Veteran receiver Brandin Cooks also joined the Saints this offseason, adding strength in depth that the team lacked in 2024.
Chris Olave got some of the best hands in the league 👀 pic.twitter.com/qWVqEOHV7T
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) June 24, 2025
If he can stay healthy, there’s little reason Olave couldn’t get back to his old ways this year, especially if Rattler wins the starting quarterback role. Rattler publicly expressed his preference to get the ball to his WR1 in 2024, but the two saw limited time on the field together.
In terms of trade value, Olave has been put in the same bucket as other high-ceiling, low-floor receiver prospects. Miami Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle and new Dallas Cowboys star George Pickens are both assets who could potentially land you the Saints receiver.
Olave has significantly outproduced Pickens in fantasy since both were drafted in 2022, but Pickens is in a great new offense and has far fewer health concerns. Waddle has shown the highest ceiling of all three receivers, but he has taken a huge step back in the last two years.
Overall, it’s worth inquiring about Olave in your leagues, as some managers may be actively looking to move on from him due to concerns. Managers who have a strong, contending team could afford to offload a future draft pick to take a chance on Olave’s upside, with a 2026 second-round pick serving as a good opening offer.
The talent is there, as is the potential for significant fantasy returns, but you should be looking for a steep discount for Olave. If he is still going at a high price in your leagues, there are likely far safer players available at a similar price with just as much potential upside.
