Jameis Winston on Chris Olave: 'Smooth as the other side of the pillow'
The New Orleans Saints bolstered their wide receiver corps by drafting former Ohio State star Chris Olave in the 2022 NFL Draft. Their quarterback sounds pretty excited about the addition, too.
Jameis Winston had some high praise for Olave, whom the Saints selected No. 11 overall last month. As OTAs roll on, the two seem to be building some chemistry, and the former Buckeye standout is already starting to impress.
“Smooth as the other side of the pillow,” Winston said, via The Athletic’s Katherine Terrell. “Just real smooth. He can get in and out of breaks very well. Electric, and smart, man. He’s a guy that’s always asking questions. He’s a guy that wants to know how you want it, and I really respect that.”
Olave put together quite the collegiate career at Ohio State, leaving the program as the Buckeyes’ all-time leader in receiving touchdowns. He was the second former Buckeye to go off the board, joining now-former teammate Garrett Wilson. In fact, Jameson Williams went after Olave — meaning the Nos. 10-12 picks were all in the Ohio State wide receiver room at one point. Williams, of course, started his career with the Buckeyes before finishing up with Alabama in 2021.
Full details of Chris Olave’s New Orleans Saints contract released
The New Orleans Saints have officially signed Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave to his four-year, fully-guaranteed rookie contract, Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson reported. Olave’s deal is worth $19.271 million and comes alongside an $11.195 million signing bonus.
His salaries or each season are as followed: $705,000 (2022), $870,000 (2023), $985,000 (2023), $1.499 million (2025), to go with guaranteed roster bonuses of $710,994, $1.471 million, $1.833 million in each of those seasons, respectively.
Olave joins the Saints after making 65 receptions for 936 yards last season. Likewise, he compiled 2,711 yards and 35 touchdowns over four seasons with the Buckeyes and looks to continue that into the pros.
“I think, besides all of the production and everything I do on the field, I feel like I’m a leader – on and off the field,” Olave said. “The way I approach the game, I feel like it’s second-to-none. I feel like that’s what separates me from the class.
“I feel like I’m a receiver of multiple traits. I’m a deep threat, and also I can run any route. I feel like that’s huge to have in the NFL, not to be just a one-level receiver. I feel like I’m a well-rounded prospect.”