Houston Texans draft prospect: Chris Olave would be excellent addition to WR roster in ’22

Would the Houston Texans take a wide receiver in the first round?

If the Houston Texans were to either gain another first round pick by trading a certain quarterback, or if they gain selections by trading the third overall pick, adding a wide receiver wouldn’t be out of the question, even though they have greater needs elsewhere on the roster.

This article is taking a look at Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave and the potential he has as he will be a first round choice by some team, including the Texans, in the 2022 NFL Draft.

We don’t see the Texans taking the OSU wide receiver with the third overall selection, but if the team were to gain an extra first round pick with a trade of quarterback Deshaun Watson, or even a trade of possibly Brandin Cooks or Laremy Tunsil – as those three are the largest contracts on the team – drafting Olave could be in the discussion.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com has this to say about Olave and what he can bring to an NFL team in a draft profile scouting report at NFL.com:

"“He is an inside/outside hybrid appealing to offenses looking for a field-stretcher with the ability to take on a sizable catch load.”"

Houston Texans: A look at the number by Olave at Ohio State

While spending four seasons at Ohio State, Chris Olave totaled 175 receptions for 2,702 yards and 35 touchdown receptions.

For his OSU career Olave averaged 15.4 yards per reception. Though he never had a 1,000-yard season with the Buckeyes, Olave played alongside some quality wide receivers, and faced some tough competition on defense, and that includes in practice each day as the Ohio State defense is usually a very solid unit with NFL-level talent.

In his senior season in ’21 Olave played in 11 games finishing with 65 receptions for 936 yards with 13 touchdowns. Olave also averaged 14.4 yards per reception in ’21. From 2019-21 Olave had at least 48 receptions each season and he never caught for under 729 yards in those three seasons.

In all honestly this pick only happens two ways, either the Houston Texans trade down in the first round, or they gain a first round pick or two off a trade of Deshaun Watson.

Either way, the Texans need to add to their wide receiver depth chart because the way it sits now it isn’t good enough to be as competitive as it needs to be playing in the AFC going into the ’22 season.

Speaking of Houston Texans wide receivers, Cooks in ’21 finished with 90 receptions for 1,037 yards and six touchdowns. The other wide receiver already on the team who brings some potential for excitement – and success – is Nico Collins who will be entering his second season. As a rookie Collins totaled 33 receptions (60 targets) for 446 yards and one touchdown.

Olave is known for his ability as an excellent route runner, and that could be a great asset to him during his rookie season. If somehow the Texans find a way to add him if he’s on their radar, then that would be a reason to be excited for the future of Houston Texans football.