Review of all receivers drafted ahead of Chris Olave in the 2022 NFL Draft

The New Orleans Saints traded up to No. 11 in the 2022 NFL Draft to select wide receiver Chris Olave. The fact that New Orleans traded up for Olave shows that the team had high expectations for the talented receiver from Ohio State. Two years into his NFL career, he has lived up to those expectations.

As a rookie, Olave played in 15 games, catching 72 passes for 1,042 yards and four touchdowns. He led the team in receptions and receiving yards. He should do that again in 2023, improving his numbers to 87 receptions for 1,123 yards and five touchdowns.

Although Olave has led the team in receiving both years he’s been on the roster, he will begin the season as the Saints’ undisputed No. 1 receiver for the first time in his career. With Michael Thomas no longer in New Orleans, Olave has higher expectations as the team believes he is capable of catapulting himself into the league’s top receiver ranks.

With that rise underway, now is a good time to look back at the 2022 draft and remember the receivers who were selected ahead of Olave. He was drafted 11th, so he didn’t have to wait that long. However, he was the third receiver taken off the board.

The first receiver drafted in 2022 was Drake London of USC. The Atlanta Falcons selected London 8th. Next up was Olave’s college teammate Garrett Wilson, who went one spot ahead of Olave at 10th to the New York Jets.

When looking back at drafts, everyone wants to analyze what would have been different. In this case, the question is whether the three receivers would still be selected in that order. That’s not an easy answer, because all three had a good start to their careers.

London caught 72 passes for 866 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie, then improved to 69 catches for 905 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore. Wilson, who was named Offensive Rookie of the Year, caught 83 passes for 1,103 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman, and 95 catches for 1,042 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore.

All three teams are happy with their selections, especially now that they have their quarterback situations sorted out. Wilson would likely be the first receiver taken if repeated, followed by Olave and then London. The Saints, however, are happy that wasn’t the order.

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