ARIZONA CARDINALS
ESPN’s Bowen deems Arizona Cardinals as best fit for WR prospect Chris Olave
Apr 8, 2022, 11:46 AM | Updated: 1:49 pm
Chris Olave #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with teammates after a touchdown during the first half of a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
(Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
With the NFL Draft just three weeks away, the Arizona Cardinals could be in the market to add another offensive weapon to the arsenal for head coach Kliff Kingsbury.
Of the options that could be available for the Cardinals at pick No. 23 is former Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave. ESPN’s Matt Bowen listed his best fits for receiver prospects in the draft and had Arizona as the best landing spot for Olave’s services.
The 6 foot, 187-pound receiver was wildly productive during his four years at Ohio State, amassing 2,702 yards while catching 35 career touchdowns.
With the Christian Kirk signing in Jacksonville and veteran A.J. Green unsigned, the Cards have an opening to add another target for quarterback Kyler Murray. And while I’m a little lower than others on Olave given his lack of a physical element, the fit works here in Kliff Kingbury’s offense, which is more vertical in the passing game than other NFL offenses.
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Olave projects as a receiver who can lineup both outside on the perimeter as well as in the slot, which could bode well for the Cardinals offense.
As of Friday, Arizona’s receiver room features DeAndre Hopkins, Rondale Moore, Antoine Wesley, Greg Dorth, Andre Baccellia and Andy Isabella, who was granted permission to seek a trade this offseason.
If you watch his film from Ohio State, Olave has shown he can take the top off of opposing defenses as a deep threat while also being an effective target in the intermediate passing game.
With no shortage of speed, running a 4.39 40-yard at the NFL Combine, Olave is regarded as one of the best route runners in the class.
While the Cardinals could put him in the slot, Bowen thinks lining up Olave on the outside opposite of Hopkins could fully unlock the offense.
Olave can play in the slot, but I see him more as a perimeter target at the next level. He would add a vertical element in Arizona to mesh with the styles of DeAndre Hopkins and Rondale Moore, allowing Kyler Murray and the Cardinals to threaten every area of the field.
