Target Share Sovereignty: Can Chris Olave Cross the Elite Threshold in a Revamped Passing Attack?
As the New Orleans Saints prepare for training camp, the central question hovering over their newly engineered offense is no longer whether Chris Olave is a very good wide receiver. His Second-Team All-Pro nod proved that. Instead, the question is if he can command the absolute target sovereignty required to cross the threshold into true elite Tier-1 territory.
In 2025, Olave authored a stellar redemption arc. Coming off an injury-plagued 2024 campaign, the former Ohio State standout bounced back to appear in 16 games, hauling in a career-high 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns. He became only the second player in franchise history to record a 100-catch, 1,000-yard season at age 25 or younger. Yet, despite finishing seventh in the NFL in receptions, Olave has still occasionally been viewed as a high-floor compiler rather than a truly unstoppable offensive engine.
The arrival of offensive architect Kellen Moore changes the dynamic entirely. Moore has a documented history of weaponizing his top playmakers by moving them dynamically around the formation. For Olave, this schematic shift could unlock the effortless separation and high-volume consistency that defines the league’s top tier.
However, achieving absolute target sovereignty—commanding a consistent 28% to 30% target share—will require Olave to fend off an influx of new talent. General manager Mickey Loomis and Moore have methodically rebuilt the supporting cast to give ascending second-year quarterback Tyler Shough more firepower.
The biggest variable in the target hierarchy is rookie first-round wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, a vertical threat designed to stress defenses deep. While Tyson has spent portions of the offseason rehabbing an undisclosed injury, his presence, alongside vertical weapon Rashid Shaheed, means Shough will have plenty of places to go with the football. If Tyson and Shaheed clear out the deep third, Olave is poised to feast on intermediate crossing routes, choice concepts, and manufactured touches.
The final piece of the puzzle is Olave’s physical availability. After a January procedure to treat a blood clot, Olave was limited to individual work during voluntary OTAs and mandatory minicamp. However, head coach Kellen Moore has consistently expressed optimism, and recent reports confirm Olave has been fully cleared for the start of training camp.
Olave has openly stated his desire to secure a contract extension before camp opens to avoid distractions and preserve team chemistry. If the front office anchors him to a long-term deal, the stage will be set. Backed by Moore’s creative play-calling and paired with Shough’s developmental leap, Olave has the perfect runway to transform his All-Pro foundation into a truly dominant, target-dominant reign.
