In recent weeks, wide receiver Chris Olave has demonstrated impressive performance on the field, particularly since Tyler Shough took over as the starting quarterback in Week 9. Over the course of the last five games, Olave has secured a position as the WR22 in fantasy points per game, boasting a 22.4% target share. He has averaged 61.6 receiving yards per game, achieving 1.95 yards per route run along with a commendable 31.3% first-read share.
Within this timeframe, Olave has proven to be a reliable target with four end zone looks and ten deep-target attempts. As he prepares to face the Carolina Panthers’ pass defense this week, statistics suggest he will continue to shine. The Panthers have been known for their defensive approach, employing a single high safety scheme at the seventh-highest rate (58.5%) since Week 8. This particular strategy seems to play into Olave’s strengths; since Week 9, he has maintained a robust 26.5% first-read share against single high alignments, enhancing his efficiency to 2.19 yards per route run.
Moreover, the Carolina defense has struggled against perimeter wide receivers, ranking among the bottom in terms of fantasy points per target allowed since Week 10. All of these factors contribute to a favorable matchup for Olave, positioning him as a strong WR1/2 candidate for fantasy lineups this week.
Fantasy owners are keenly watching Olave’s performance, looking to capitalize on his recent surge as the season progresses.

