2020 NFL Draft: Steelers add versatile offensive weapon in Chase Claypool
Steelers Nation tried hard to wait patiently throughout the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, as everyone experienced the inaugural virtual draft due to coronavirus concerns, knowing the Pittsburgh Steelers would not make a selection until the second round at No. 49 overall. After several players that were mocked-to the Steelers or highly coveted were selected by other teams, Kevin Colbert and company selected former Notre Dame tight end/receiver Chase Claypool as their first pick in their latest draft class.
At 6-foot-4, 238 pounds, Claypool has size and strength that many NFL scouts felt would make him a fit at tight end at the next level but not limit him to that position. Claypool proved to be one of the most athletic wide receivers at the NFL Scouting Combine, however, and logged a 4.42 40-yard dash time with a 40.5-inch vertical (both near the top of positional rankings). With an 80-inch wingspan and a willingness to be physical and go up for tough catches, Claypool makes an intriguing versatile offensive weapon for the Steelers.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said of Claypool, “outstanding run blocker…nasty demeanor.” Brandon Powell said, “Claypool is more (George) Kittle than any other player in this draft.” Offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner said of Claypool, “He is one of those rare types of combination of size and speed.”
In case you forgot about how well new #Steelers WR Chase Claypool tested at the combine this year, he ran a 4.42 40 at 6'4" and 238 pounds.
He joined Calvin Johnson as the only WRs weighing 230+ lbs to run the 40 that fast at the combine since 2006.
— Zach Metkler (@CoachMetkler) April 25, 2020
Damnnnnnn. Don’t be shocked if Chase Claypool becomes DK Metcalf or Vincent Jackson. Seen this kid in person a lot. As impressive as a athlete I have ever seen. Raw. I am betting super star
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) April 25, 2020
What makes this pick exciting for Pittsburgh is that they have a chess piece they can utilize at different locations within the receiving corps. The Steelers could move him into the slot, play him inline, or post him in the seam. Claypool also has the size and speed to go man-to-man with cornerbacks on the outside.
☘️@ChaseClaypool ➡️ NFL
#GoIrish x #IrishInTheNFL pic.twitter.com/fDsjwxJnCv
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) April 20, 2020
A healthy Ben Roethlisberger should be excited to have Claypool added to the pool (pardon the pun) with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, James Washington, Vance McDonald, and Eric Ebron.
LOOK OUT FOR CHASE CLAYPOOL
The Steelers are statistically the BEST team at drafting wide receivers in the NFL.
BUT…
They have't taken a WR as high as they just took WR Chase Claypool (#49 overall) since 2006.
Says a lot as to how much they like him.
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 25, 2020
