Chris Olave or Garrett Wilson: Who’s the better fantasy draft pick in 2022?
Wide receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson were elite teammates at Ohio State, and after both entering the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft in April, they now sit in similar places in the Fantasy WR rankings and have similar ADPs. There’s real breakout potential for both, but chances are you’ll only end up with one in your draft.
Who is the better choice? Here’s a breakdown of the Buckeyes:
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2022 Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Chris Olave Fantasy outlook, projection 2022
Olave joins Michael Thomas and fellow former Ohio State fellow Jarvis Landry in a Deep Saints receiving corps. Behind them are Marquez Callaway, Tre’Quan Smith and Deonte Harty.
The Saints selected Olave with the intention of having a more aggressive downfield passing game while settling on quarterback Jameis Winston. Sean Payton stepped down as head coach, but the system remains in place after Drew Brees with longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr.
PPR RANKINGS 2022:
QB’s | RB’s | WRs | TEs | D/STs | foosball | Top 200 | Superflex
New Orleans has just 103 goals cleared, mostly by 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 less than 3,500 yards.
Fast-paced offense and defense led by Alvin Kamara is still the team’s foundation, but it’s reasonable to expect the Saints to average more than 30 shots per game and hit 4,000 yards with better weapons.
STANDARD RANKINGS 2022:
QB’s | RB’s | WRs | TEs | D/STs | foosball | Top 200 | Superflex
What helps Olave is that Landry is a possession slot guy that plays a pretty redundant role in relation to Thomas. Landry and Thomas are both 29, with the latter coming off a lengthy break from playing related to his ankle injury.
Olave, with his fresh, quick legs, has a clear role: making big plays on the touchline in line with the Saints’ updated passing philosophy. He was also a strong red zone receiver.
Thomas will lead the Saints into targets and the ball figures distributed elsewhere by Winston. A line like 60-800-6 looks more like the top than the bottom to Olave.
2022 FANTASY THRESHOLDS:
QB’s | RB’s | WRs | TEs | D/STs | One from each team
Garrett Wilson Fantasy Outlook, Projection 2022
Nor does Wilson step into a #1 situation. That status belongs to the versatile sophomore Elijah Moore. Wilson will be battling numbers with Corey Davis while sharing slot time with Moore.
Davis is only 27, but he’s coming off a season marred by hip and groin injuries. Back to his high first-round days with the Titans, durability wasn’t on Davis’ side.
AUCTION VALUES 2022 (Standard & PPR):
QB’s | RB’s | WRs | TEs | D/STs | foosball | In total
The Jets also have 218 cleared targets, or more than double the Saints. Davis and new tight ends CJ Uzomah and Tyler Conklin will make up to some extent, but it’s notable former Jets Jamison Crowder and Keelan Cole who reach 122 combined.
Between the slot and out, even with Braxton Berrios behind him and Moore, Wilson can pick up some of that Crowder-Cole production. There’s an avenue for 80 catches and 800 yards for Wilson.
RANKING 2022 & DRAFT STRATEGY:
QB’s | RB’s | WRs | TEs | D/STs
There’s also the factor that while Thomas looks perfectly healthy and Landry has longevity, Davis doesn’t, and Moore also missed the end of his rookie season with a quad injury. Wilson, of equal talent to Olave, has the initially favorable side based on opportunity and volume.
The choice is…Wilson
To see how RotoBaller handles Olave vs. Wilson – or any four players you’re considering in your draft – watch the exclusive Who to Draft? tool below:
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