METAIRIE, La. -- Chris Olave didn't always know what it meant to be a No. 1 receiver.
He knew how to make plays in key moments and rack up stats, compiling back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons for the New Orleans Saints in his first two seasons. But Olave also spent those years in the shadow of veteran Michael Thomas, the 2019 NFC Offensive Player of the Year whose last four seasons were derailed by injuries.
Olave had Thomas' experience to lean on at the beginning of his career, But after the veteran's release in March, it was clear the team would rely heavily on Olave going forward.