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PLAYSTYLE & SCHEME FIT
Chris Olave is another talented Ohio State WR labeled with the technician tag similar to players in recent years, the most notable being Terry McLaurin. But Olave is more than just a technician. In addition to his route running, he is a serious deep threat with a high-level ability to track the football while being covered. He is not always a hands catcher, which can improve, but he possesses excellent body control in tight quarters, especially on back shoulder catches that he often makes look easy.
Olave will not wow you physically, and at the NFL level, he will play in the slot or the z in an off-ball role where he will get a free release. If needed, he could step into an on-ball role using his short-area quickness off the line of scrimmage to get a free release.
Olave excels at every level of the field; while he is not as elite after the catch as his Ohio State teammates, he is elusive enough to make a man miss in space where he can pick up the extra yards.
Olave has instant impact potential right away. He can play a featured role at the NFL level. He can flourish in an offense that successfully utilizes a combination of horizontal, vertical, and option routes with a good balance of play action. His ability as a run blocker is adequate and will translate at the next level due to the Ohio States' enhanced focus on WR run blocking. He is also a solid special teams player who has blocked punts.
Olave has a similar skill set to Tyler Locket, combining route running with deep ball tracking while playing an off-the-ball role from the Z or the slot.
PLAYER COMPARISON:
CEILING GRADE ANALYSIS
Near Elite (70-74)
A high-caliber prospect who is expected to become a significant contributor by Year 2. These players have outstanding physical tools and strong football IQ, with only minor flaws in their game. They demonstrate consistency at a high level and project as future Pro Bowl-caliber players if properly developed.
Primary scout:
Brandon Lundberg
Football Scout 365 NFL Draft Grade Scale
Football Scout 365 grades reflect a prospect’s projected long-term NFL value and role. Draft ranges are general value projections, not predictions of an exact selection. Positional value, team needs, scheme fit, medical information and athletic testing can influence where a player is ultimately selected.
How Football Scout 365 Grades NFL Draft Prospects
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Elite (75+): A rare, high-impact prospect with elite physical tools, advanced football intelligence and the ability to make an immediate NFL impact. Elite prospects carry franchise-altering potential and typically project as top 5–10 selections in the first round.
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Near Elite (70–74): A high-caliber prospect with outstanding physical tools, strong football intelligence and only minor developmental limitations. Near Elite prospects project as significant early-career contributors with Pro Bowl upside and first-round draft value.
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High-End Starter Potential (65–69): A starting-caliber prospect with strong physical tools, quality technical skills and a defined NFL role. These players may require development before reaching their ceiling but generally carry second- or third-round draft value.
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Mid-Level Starter Potential (60–64): A solid prospect with NFL-level tools and a pathway to becoming a dependable starter if key limitations are addressed. These players generally carry third- to fifth-round draft value.
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Low-Level Starter Potential (55–59): A developmental prospect who could become a low-end starter, high-end backup or valuable specialist in the right role. These players generally carry fifth- to seventh-round draft value.
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Backup Level (50–54): A depth or rotational prospect with enough functional ability to compete for an NFL roster spot but limited long-term starting potential. These players generally project as late Day 3 selections or priority undrafted free agents.
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Not NFL Level (Below 50): A developmental or camp prospect who does not currently demonstrate enough consistency, technical refinement or functional NFL traits to project as a regular contributor. These players generally project as undrafted free agents, practice-squad candidates or camp invitations.
Draft position can vary based on positional value, team needs, scheme fit, medical evaluation and athletic testing.