These NFL rookies will outperform their draft position in 2020
55. Scouting Report. TE. Pittsburgh Steelers. Chase Claypool. 8. player. Pick Analysis
Steelers fans are understandably excited at the prospect of getting a healthy Ben Roethlisberger back on the field this season. If Big Ben is going to bounce back and have a big year, he’ll need his wide receiver group to make plays for him.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington and Diontae Johnson figure to get most of the team’s target share at the receiver position. That doesn’t mean Claypool can’t find a way to make an instant impact though. His combination of size and speed makes him an intriguing option for Roethlisberger.
The team seems to be committed to starting Claypool off at wide receiver, but that doesn’t mean they’ll line him up on the outside. Instead, look for Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff to give Claypool some meaningful work in the slot. He has a chance to make big plays as a jumbo slot who is asked to compete against linebackers and safeties in single coverage.
Claypool isn’t going to catch 100 passes as a rookie, but he’s got a real opportunity to make big plays for a Steelers offense that sorely lacked them in 2019. Pittsburgh didn’t spend a second-round pick on Claypool to give him a redshirt year. He’s going to find a way to play early on.