Chris Olave has a chance to cap off an impressive rookie campaign with an NFL honor, but it'll be up to the fans to get him the rest of the way.
The Saints WR was one of six players to be named as finalists for the NFL Rookie of the Year award, announced Tuesday by the league.
Olave is joined by former Ohio State teammate and now Jets WR Garrett Wilson, Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson, Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker, Seahawks CB Tariq Woolen and Jets CB Sauce Gardner.
The winner be selected by fan vote, which can be found here.
Olave finished his rookie season with 15 games played, leading all rookie WRs in yards per game (69.5). His 1,042 yards was the second-most all time by a Saints rookie behind only Marques Colston, and he joins Colston and Michael Thomas as the only two Saints rookies to surpass 1,000 yards receiving. Olave's 12 games with 50-plus yards receiving was the third-most such games ever by a rookie. Olave also scored four touchdowns on his 72 catches.
It was an undoubtedly impressive debut campaign for the former Buckeye after he entered the team with high expectations with the Saints trading up to select him at No. 11 overall. He had a significant role from Day 1, but was thrust into the spotlight due to injuries to Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry in a Week 3 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Thomas didn't play again and Landry only played sparingly before going on IR later in the season. Olave had his best game of the season in that Week 3 loss, catching 9 passes for 147 yards. It was one of three 100-plus-yard receiving games on the season.
Olave was also named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Month for September. The winner will be recognized and receive a trophy during the week of Super Bowl 57, which is scheduled for Feb. 12 in Glendale, Arizona.
The award is independent of the annual NFL awards that award Rookie of the Year honors to an offensive and defensive player. Olave will likely be in the running for that honor as well, and he would be the first Saints player to win such an honor since Marshon Lattimore and Alvin Kamara swept those titles after the 2017 season. Those awards will be handed out during the annual NFL Honors ceremony, scheduled for Feb. 9.
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