Chase Claypool’s first career catch was filthy (Video)

Steelers second-round pick Chase Claypool made his first career catch

When Pittsburgh selected Claypool out of Notre Dame, it came as a moderate surprise given the weapons Ben Roethlisberger already has at his disposal. Claypool is already arguably the best deep threat Big Ben has, and that’s on a receiving corps that features JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson and James Washington.

That’s the first catch of many for Claypool, and one Roethlisberger won’t forget soon given the struggles of Smith-Schuster and Johnson at times last season, albeit with Duck Hodges and Mason Rudolph at QB.

Will the Steelers bounce back with Roethlisberger under center?

The Steelers playoff hopes hinge on the quarterback position, as is the case with most contenders around the NFL. Pittsburgh saw first-hand what happened when they can’t rely on a consistent force under center, as they’ve become so accustomed to doing with Roethlisberger in tow.

Assuming Ben can stay healthy and readjust after a year off, the Steelers have the defense and skill position strength to make some noise in the AFC. The Ravens may be the favorite in the North, but they’ll have to hear from Pittsburgh at some point.