Category: Chargers NFL Draft

Chris Olave could bolster Chargers’ wide receiver corps

Chris Olave makes a lot of sense for the Chargers if they decide to take a wide receiver early on in the 2022 NFL draft.

With the fifth-year option on Mike Williams’ contract expiring at the conclusion of the NFL season, the wide receiver position aims to be one of the positions the Chargers will certainly need to address in the offseason.

If Williams departs, a fairly obvious hole opens up in the offense. Even if the brass decides Williams flashed enough in his first year in Brandon Staley’s scheme, adding another weapon to Herbert’s arsenal would not hurt. Regardless of what the future will bring, it is likely the Chargers could gravitate toward a pass-catcher in the 2022 NFL draft, which boasts another strong class of prospects at the position.

Enter Chris Olave, a projected first-round pick that was one of the star components of Ohio State’s aerial attack over the last three years and an early favorite to be ranked the best wideout in the class. The former three-star recruit out of San Ysidro, Calif., caught 176 passes for 2,711 yards and 35 touchdowns over his four seasons with the Buckeyes. As a junior, he helped propel the team to its second National Championship berth while finishing as a top 10 finalist for the Biletnikoff Award. Olave also became Ohio State’s all-time leader for receiving touchdowns earlier this season as he helped punch the program’s ticket to the Rose Bowl, which he eventually chose to opt-out of in order to focus on preparations for the next stages of his career.

With four months and counting until the draft opens, would Olave be a good fit for the Chargers?

For years, viewers have awed over Keenan Allen’s nuance and savviness as a route runner to create separation and make himself available to the quarterback. Olave resembles the same creative technician that has mastered the finer points of the route running craft. He implements deception throughout his route before leaving defenders behind due to the explosion he generates as he breaks.

Olave often finds himself alone at the top of his route for easy completions and deep touchdowns. He frequently distances himself from defensive backs in man coverage and is difficult to reign in once free. He is comfortable running the entire route tree and understands how to leverage patience, tempo, and quickness to turn routine plays into large gains.

A good example of Olave’s advanced skillset in this area is this 36-yard touchdown against Maryland. Olave ran a post against a Cover 4 look and became free over the top for an effortless heave from Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud. Olave ate up ground with a straight-shot release before he cut hard on the safety’s backside, who was late helping the cornerback in coverage as he identified the location of the ball through motion in the backfield. Olave sped through the angle and quickly left both opponents trailing behind.

Olave can be a playmaker after the catch as well. While he isn’t an exotic juke artist, Olave is more than serviceable with the ball in his hands and processes the field in front of him rapidly. He is spry enough to make tacklers miss consistently and dangerous when allowed to reach his top downhill speed. He protects the football well and competes in the face of contact.

On this catch-and-run against Minnesota, Olave is able to get open on the deep out route in a Flood concept as a parallel option o a rolling Stroud. After securing the catch, Olave’s hips and eyes immediately survey the pursuing action and formulate a plan for evasion. The awareness pays off; Olave slowed up a pace and allowed the tight end to get out in front to block the rotating safety. He turned on the jets from there, slid into the lane, and burst away from any player that could have given him trouble from behind.

While Olave is coveted for his premier separation tactics, don’t underestimate his prowess at the catch point. Olave is a physical going up for contested opportunities and his excellent tracking abilities put him in a good position to come down with the reception. He can fluidly adjust and adapt to the ball in the air, flashing confident and sturdy hands in traffic as he does here in double coverage against Penn State.

In terms of weaknesses, Olave’s strengths are primarily tailored to the Z wide receiver position or slot. Most of his time was spent at those two spots and he shined in either role. He likely would not translate to an X role that demands a bigger and taller frame. While Olave challenges with the size he does possess, he has below-average play strength and can struggle to box out larger players for the ball. However, this has typically not been too much an issue because of how much space he creates.

If the Chargers make Olave an option on the day of the draft, he would likely fit in best as their speedy new slot man. Combining his route sharpness with the proven expertise of Allen and running back Austin Ekeler could undoubtedly increase the potency of the passing attack and make game-planning exhaustive for the rest of the AFC West.

5 Chargers prospects to watch in Pac-12 Championship Game

Taking a look at five NFL draft prospects who could be on the Chargers’ radar in the Pac-12 Championship Game.

When the Utah Utes and Oregon Ducks meet up in Friday night’s Pac-12 Championship Game, several prospects will be showcasing their talents on a supersized stage, with a handful of NFL evaluators watching closely.

Let’s take a look at five who could be on the Chargers’ radar.

CB Mykael Wright, Oregon: The Chargers will be looking to fill the void left by Chris Harris Jr., a free agent, at the end of the season. While not physically imposing at 5-foot-11 and 182 pounds, Wright possesses elite athleticism, plus speed, good awareness in zone coverage, physicality in man, and solid ball skills. Furthermore, he is an elite kick returner.

TE Brant Kuithe, Utah: Jared Cook has been underwhelming this season, and he is slated to hit the market anyways. Kuithe has the hands and overall receiving ability to be a threat in the passing game. The last time he faced the Ducks, Kuithe went off for five catches for 118 yards.

DB Verone McKinley III, Oregon: Having the versatility to play multiple positions in the secondary is essential in Brandon Staley’s system, which is what McKinley possesses. While underweight, McKinley is a competitor who has the instincts and physicality to play in the box and the speed and range to play deep.

EDGE Mike Tafua, Utah: With Uchenna Nwosu and Kyler Fackrell both free agents, the Bolts should be looking to add reinforcements at the position. Tafua is a talented pass rusher who can also hold his own in the run game and drop into coverage. This season, he leads all defensive linemen in tackles for loss (13) and sacks (9.5), which also is No. 1 in the Pac-12.

OL Nick Ford, Utah: While the Chargers need to prioritize the right side of the offensive line, the team just simply needs more depth all across. In 42 games, Ford has logged snaps at all five positions. Ford has a quality combination of size and length, athleticism, movement skills, and physicality, which shows up in pass protection and as a run blocker.