The Commanders are hosting one of the top receiving prospects in the 2022 draft class in Chris Olave, who's scheduled to visit Ashburn on Thursday.
The Ohio State product is one of the most coveted receivers in a draft loaded with talent at the position, and though he could be a viable target for Washington at 11, many project Olave to fall further back into the first round. If that's the case, Washington may be wise to trade back a bit if it fancies the receiver and is in position to pick up some extra draft capital along the way.
Olave, a 6-foot, 187-pound target, was given a 6.43 prospect grade by NFL.com, projecting as someone who will become a good starter within two years. He ran an official 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine after a failed first reading initially clocked him at 4.26.
Olave, who was college teammates with current Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin at Ohio State, told reporters at the combine that McLaurin was "like a big brother" to him during his freshman year in 2018. McLaurin was selected by Washington in the third round in 2019 and quickly developed into the team's top receiver.
Olave caught 175 passes for 2,702 yards and 35 touchdowns in four seasons at Ohio State, including 65 catches for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns his senior season.
What NFL.com's top draft analyst Lance Zierlein had to say about him: "The quiet storm of the Ohio State wide receiver corps, Olave is smooth, steady and makes things happen. His movements are fluid and easy from snap to the catch and all points between. He's fast but efficient and plays with the bend and foot agility to uncover on all three levels. Olave possesses natural, well-rounded ball skills but needs to add play strength to ward off the physical challenges that are headed his way. His play traits should allow for success beyond the scheme and talent advantages surrounding him at Ohio State. He is an inside/outside hybrid appealing to offenses looking for a field-stretcher with the ability to take on a sizable catch load."
Olave visited with the Jets on Monday and the Cowboys on Tuesday.
Washington is also set to meet with Alabama receiver John Metchie on Friday, per Albert Breer, along with a slew of other top-30 prospects.
Metchie, a 5-foot-11, 187-pound target, was given a 6.18 prospect grade by NFL.com, projecting as a good backup with the potential to develop into a starter. He caught 155 passes for 2,081 yards and 14 touchdowns in three seasons at Alabama, including 96 catches for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns in 2021.
Metchie suffered an ACL tear in December, forcing him to miss Alabama's final two games.
