Wide receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson were elite teammates at Ohio State, and after both went in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft in April, they now sit in similar spots in the fantasy WR rankings and have similar ADPs. There’s legit breakout potential for both, but chances are you’ll wind up with just one in your draft.
Who’s the better pick? Here’s a breakdown of the Buckeyes:
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2022 fantasy cheat sheet
Chris Olave fantasy outlook, projection 2022
Olave joins fellow former Ohio State wideout Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry in a deep Saints receiving corps. Behind them, Marquez Callaway, Tre’Quan Smith, and Deonte Harty are all still in the mix.
The Saints picked Olave with the intention of having a more aggressive downfield passing game while committing to quarterback Jameis Winston. Sean Payton stepped down as head coach, but the system remains post Drew Brees with long-time offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr.
2022 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex
New Orleans has only 103 vacated targets, mostly from role players in 2021. Thomas didn’t play a down and Landry wasn’t on the team, like Wilson. The Saints passed just 51 percent of the time, and between Winston, Trevor Siemian, Taysom Hill, and Ian Book, they threw for fewer than 3,500 yards.
The rushing attack led by Alvin Kamara and the defense are still the foundation of the team, but it’s reasonable to expect the Saints will throw more than 30 times on average per game and push toward 4,000 yards with better weaponry.
2022 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex
What helps Olave is that Landry is a possession slot type who has somewhat of redundant role in relation to Thomas. Landry and Thomas are both 29, with the latter coming off a long playing layoff tied to his ankle injury.
Olave has a clear role with his fresh speedy legs: Making big plays on the perimeter in line with the Saints’ updated passing philosophy. He also has been a strong red-zone receiver.
Thomas will lead the Saints in targets and the ball figures to be spread around by Winston elsewhere. A line like 60-800-6 looks more like the ceiling than the floor for Olave.
2022 FANTASY SLEEPERS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | One from each team
Garrett Wilson fantasy outlook, projection 2022
Wilson also doesn’t step into a situation where he’s the No. 1. That status belongs to versatile second-year wideout Elijah Moore. Wilson will be battling for numbers with Corey Davis while sharing time with Moore in the slot.
Davis is just 27, but he’s coming off a season marred by hip and groin injuries. Going back to his high first-rounder days with the Titans, durability hasn’t been on Davis’ side.
2022 AUCTION VALUES (Standard & PPR):
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Overall
The Jets also have 218 vacated targets, or more than twice as many as the Saints. Davis and new tight ends C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin will make up for those at some level, but it’s notable former Jets Jamison Crowder and Keelan Cole combined for 122.
Between the slot and outside, even with Braxton Berrios behind him and Moore, Wilson can pick up a chunk of that Crowder-Cole production. There’s an avenue there for 80 catches and 800 yards for Wilson.
2022 RANKINGS TIERS & DRAFT STRATEGY:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs
There’s also the factor that while Thomas looks completely healthy and Landry is durable, Davis isn’t, and Moore also missed the end of his rookie season with a quad injury. Wilson, with equal talent to Olave, has the initial more favorable upside based on opportunity and volume.
The pick is … Wilson
To get RotoBaller’s take on Olave vs. Wilson — or any four players you might be considering in your draft — check out their exclusive “Who to Draft?” tool below:
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