Chris Olave at No. 64 in the NFL Top 100 is Only the Beginning

The annual release of the NFL Top 100 is always a bubbling ppot of gumbo in subjective chaos, but the ranking of New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave at No. 64 feels particularly monumental.

Voted on by his peers, Olave has officially made his debut on the prestigious list. It's a massive nod of respect from the players who actually have to guard him or watch him tear up their secondaries. Yet, while No. 64 is a milestone to celebrate, it also highlights a fascinating disconnect in how the NFL evaluates one of its most resilient young stars.

To truly appreciate Olave landing at No. 64, you have to look back at where he was just a year ago. The 2024 season was a nightmare plagued by scary, repeated concussions that left many wondering if the former Ohio State standout would walk away from the game entirely.

Instead, Olave put on a showcase in perseverance. His 2025 campaign wasn't just a bounce-back, but rather it was a career-defining masterpiece. He put up 1,163 receiving yards with 100 receptions and 9 touchdowns. 

He became only the second player in Saints franchise history to record a 100-reception season, joining the legendary Michael Thomas. He did all of this while anchoring a passing game that lacked elite, consistent quarterback play. If that isn't the resume of a top-50 player, what is?

What makes Olave's No. 64 ranking so compelling is how differently he is viewed depending on who you ask.

On one hand, the players—the guys on the field—have voted him as the 64th best player in the league, placing him ahead of superstar contemporaries like A.J. Brown and division rival Drake London on this list. The players recognize his elite route-running, his sudden burst, and the sheer impossibility of keeping him covered for four quarters.

On the other hand, the coaches, scouts, and executives who vote on ESPN’s annual positional rankings completely shut him out. Olave didn’t just miss the Top 10 in ESPN's rankings; he didn't even land among the six honorable mentions.

The Verdict: The "front office" crowd is overthinking it. When you catch 100 balls in a system that defenses can easily key in on, you are an elite wide receiver. The players who actually have to line up across from Olave clearly know what the spreadsheet-watchers are missing.

While making the Top 100 for the first time is a badge of honor, some say Olave holding at 64 still feels like a discount.

Consider the context: Olave is the undisputed focal point of the Saints’ offense. Defenses go into every single week knowing that stopping No. 12 is the key to stopping New Orleans. Yet, despite the double-teams and safety brackets, he still posted top-10 numbers across virtually every major receiving category.

He isn't just a volume receiver, either; he's a chain-mover. He finished third in the NFL in third-down receptions in 2025, proving to be the ultimate safety valve when the lights were brightest.

Chris Olave's 2025 season was a triumph of the human spirit and elite athletic talent. No. 64 is a respect-fueled starting point from his NFL peers. As he enters the 2026 season, expect Olave to make this No. 64 ranking look like an absolute steal by this time next year.