The 2022 NFL season saw an interesting crop of rookies, particularly on offense, emerge as difference-makers for their respective teams.
One of them was wide receiver Chris Olave of the New Orleans Saints, who put up 1,042 yards and finished fourth in the Offensive Rookie of the Year balloting.
Now that Derek Carr will be under center for the Saints, Olave could see his production increase next season, and he could be the biggest beneficiary of Carr’s arrival.
Chris Olave is ready to make the leap 📈 pic.twitter.com/E2Z4WYcj5c
— ESPN Fantasy Sports (@ESPNFantasy) March 8, 2023
The Saints finished just 22nd in points scored in 2022, and any optimism their fan base had about starting QB Jameis Winston was extinguished when he was benched after just three starts.
Carr had a down year in 2022 with the Las Vegas Raiders, but he is a four-time Pro Bowl selection who threw for 4,804 yards the previous season.
He is not an elite quarterback, but he has instantly made New Orleans the best team in the NFC South, which should result in their first playoff appearance since the retirement of Drew Brees.
Alvin Kamara, the star dual-threat running back, should also see a bump in his receiving numbers thanks to Carr’s signing.
But the wild card here is three-time Pro Bowl wideout Michael Thomas, who has missed most of the last three seasons due to injury.
In 2019, his last full season, he exploded for an NFL-high 1,725 yards and won the Offensive Player of the Year award, and if he manages to stay healthy for a full season, he could have a very strong bounce-back 2023 campaign with Carr’s help.
