The 2022 NFL Draft is right around the corner and anticipation is at an all-time high as the K.C. Chiefs will be coming up on arguably the most important draft in franchise history.
The Chiefs will need to patch many holes this in the draft including wide receiver following the loss of Tyreek Hill. Given they acquired a first round pick in trading Hill to the Miami Dolphins, it’s only reasonable to think that they will now use one of those two first round picks to try and replace Hill and replenish a receiver group that continues to see turnover.
While it is near impossible the Chiefs will ever come across a player like Hill and the impact he brought, they can still be a very good offense next season if they play their cards right and put a formidable receiver corps.
Could the KC Chiefs select Chris Olave in NFL Draft?
Ohio State’s Chris Olave could be a perfect fit with the Kansas City Chiefs if available by the time they pick in the first round. Despite not even being the best wide receiver prospect out of Ohio State in this draft as Garrett Wilson is seen as a consensus top receiver in this draft, Olave is right behind him and offers his own unique skillset.
It is thought that the Chiefs are undergoing a “philosophical shift” at the receiver position with the additions of Marques Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster, an eye for bigger and more physical receivers. Well, Chris Olave is only just above 6’0″ and is 180 lbs, so he’s not quite the bigger receiver but the Chiefs could benefit from still having a variety of skill sets at wideout.
What makes Olave special is his ability to create separation and run routes. He’s arguably the best at both out of the entire draft class. When you’re a rookie looking to contribute in year one (or in general), being able to get open is one of the most valuable skills you can possess and even though it isn’t a requirement, it would be nice if the Chiefs were able to get immediate production in year one.
Another concern about Olave, however, is that he is not an explosive athlete and when you’re considering spending a first round pick on a wide receiver, athleticism is nice to have as it typically indicates an even higher ceiling. That combined with Olave’s size means he can get bullied sometimes in press man coverage or by bigger defenders and his YAC ability in the NFL will be a question.
Nonetheless, Olave clearly has a second gear as he ran one of the faster 40-yard dashes of any of the receivers with an official 4.39 second 40 at the NFL combine. If Olave is to get off well at the line of scrimmage he can blow by defenders no question. Even if the Chiefs are looking to move off smaller receivers they are not trying to move off speed which makes Olave a good fit and a change of pace receiver that can make plays deep and is a tough cover for defenders. He can track the ball relatively well and is able to suck in any ball that is placed in his catch radius, despite it being rather small.
It remains to be seen if Olave will be available by the Chiefs first picks next week, but if it comes down to the wire, Olave might be worth a trade up because of the big play ability and high floor.