Mel Kiper projects Chris Olave's NFL team in first mock draft

The 2021-2022 college football season is officially in the books and that can mean only one thing–an endless number of mock drafts getting churned out before the 2022 NFL Draft on April 28-30th. ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr. recently released his first mock draft in a special aired on ESPN2 on Wednesday. The NFL Draft guru said he thought former Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave would be picked by the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 19 in the first round.

“Now you get some help for Jalen Hurts in the passing game, the complement to DeVonta Smith in Chris Olave. Smooth. Tremendously productive. Soft hands. The experience coming ready into the league will benefit him tremendously,” Kiper said.

NFL teams that are searching for help in the 2022 NFL Draft must be downright smitten with this receiver class, the Philadelphia Eagles included. It’s stacked with talent and even in a stacked class, Olave stands out as one of the best prospects of the bunch.

Chris Olave etched a remarkable legacy at Ohio State

During his storied career in Columbus, Olave cemented his legacy as one of the all-time greats to ever suit up at the school. On Nov. 20, 2021, he broke the school record for most touchdown catches by any Buckeye in program history (35). The previous record was held by David Boston.

He easily could’ve chosen to enter the 2021 NFL Draft but decided to come back for one more year with Ohio State. In doing so, only further etched his legacy in Buckeye football history.

During his entire career at Ohio State, he hauled in 175 catches for 2,702 receiving yards, while bringing in 35 touchdowns. Olave’s final season with the Buckeyes was his best one, catching 65 passes for 936 receiving yards, while reeling in 13 touchdowns.

Per PFF, he averaged 2.77 yards per route run for his college football career, ranking him second of any receiver in the 2022 Draft Class. He’s been well known as an elite separator with his smooth route running throughout his college football career. Olave combines that with a remarkably soft set of hands that will make NFL decision makers drool.

If he does get to team up with DeVonta Smith and Kiper is right, the tandem should be one of the best wide receiver tandems in the NFL to watch for years to come.