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.”
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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.
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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.
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