Chris Olave starts Saints career by working with Michael Thomas, other teammates

🙌 @chrisolave_ 🙌#Saints | @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/7wXGQ3Rkbb

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 13, 2022

METAIRIE – Chris Olave made a side trip before coming to New Orleans to start his NFL career.

The Saints’ first selection in the NFL Draft on April 28 accepted an invitation from fellow wide receiver, OhioState product and California native Michael Thomas to work out together in Los Angeles.

Olave arrived on May 2 and stayed a week a half before heading to New Orleans last Wednesday for the Saints three-day rookie mini-camp, which began Friday and concludes Sunday.

“He took me in,” Olave said of Thomas after practice Saturday afternoon. “I just followed his schedule that he does consistently in the offseason. I just stepped into that and worked with him.

“He said just keep doing what I’m doing. Coming from Ohio State, that’s a competitive environment. Keep that chip on your shoulder and keep your head down and keep working. I look up to him. He’s one of the best receivers to do it and I want to follow in his footsteps.”

The Saints begin voluntary OTAs a week from Monday and it’s unknown if Thomas will choose to participate. Presumably he will be on hand for the mandatory veteran mini-camp June 14-16 and the two former Buckeyes can resume their workouts surrounded by the rest of their teammates.

“Finally being on the same team with him is going to be huge,” Olave said. “I can’t wait to get on the field with him and compete with him as his teammate.”

Wide receiver was the Saints’ top priority during the off-season after they finished last in the NFL in passing offense last season (187.4 yards per game).

Thomas missed all of last season because of ankle surgeries to fix an injury that limited him to seven games and no touchdowns in 2020.

The Saints targeted Olave, who caught 65 passes for 936 yards (14.4 yards per catch) and 13 touchdowns as a senior for Ohio State last season.

Thomas reached out to Olave as a fellow Buckeye to advise him well before he ever became a teammate.

“Since I got drafted I feel like we’ve gotten closer,” Olave said.

he’s official 💯@chrisolave_ x @Saints pic.twitter.com/p9HpQu8bTW

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) May 14, 2022

The Saints weren’t satisfied with Thomas’ return and the drafting of Olave, so they added former Lutcher High School and LSU receiver Jarvis Landry, a five-time Pro Bowler, as a free agent Friday.

“We just got out of practice (Friday) and they said, ‘We got Jarvis’ and that was huge,” Olave said. “He’s going to be a great addition to the roster. I can’t wait to play with him.

“Michael Thomas was always one of my favorite receivers. Jarvis is a legend out here. Having so many guys that are known and have already made their mark in the league is huge for me see how they attack it every day.”

Saints head coach Dennis Allen noted that two mini-camp practices aren’t much of a sample size, but added that he has seen from Olave the attributes that led the Saints to trade up twice so they could select him at No. 11.

“He’s a guy that is really fast, smooth in transition, good route runner, smart and ultimately he’s the type of character person that we wanted to bring into the building,” Allen said. “I think that’s as important as anything.”

Dennis Allen on the early look at Chris Olave ⚜️ pic.twitter.com/zgKANTaaMM

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 14, 2022

Olave clearly appreciated the Saints’ determination to acquire him and Allen’s comments about him.

“That’s huge coming from the head coach,” Olave said. “They believe in me. They see a lot in me, but it’s just my second day so I feel like I can keep getting better.

“I see that they wanted me the whole time. I’m glad they traded up for me. That’s makes me want to go out and work harder for the organization.”

NOTES – A total of 66 players are participating in the mini-camp, 41 of which are on a tryout basis. …

All of the draft choices are on hand even though second-round pick, defensive back Alontae Taylor of Tennessee, isn’t under contract. Fifth-round pick, linebacker D’Marco Jackson of Applachian State, and sixth-round pick, defensive lineman Jordan Jackson of Air Force, have all signed contracts. …

Two veteran receivers are participating – former Tulane player Jalen McCleskey and 2021 seventh-round pick Kawaan Baker. Another wide receiver participating under contract is Karr and Nicholls State product Dai’Jean Dixson. …

Five players with local ties are participating on a tryout basis – former Shaw and Louisiana-Lafayette running back Tray Ragas, New Orleans native and former Jackson State defensive back C.J. Holmes, former LSU kicker Avery Atkins, former Tulane defensive back Jaylon Monroe and former SLU running back Morgan Ellison.

Another familiar name trying out is former Mississippi State quarterback K.J. Costello, who set an SEC record for passing yards in a game in a victory against LSU in the 2020 season opener in Tiger Stadium.