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// THREAD // Chase Claypool //
One of my favorite rookie targets this offseason is Pittsburgh Steeler WR, Chase Claypool. People seem to be down on him because of the lack of production in college till his senior year. However, there is more to him than most people know.
One of my favorite rookie targets this offseason is Pittsburgh Steeler WR, Chase Claypool. People seem to be down on him because of the lack of production in college till his senior year. However, there is more to him than most people know.
Claypool was selected with the 49th overall pick in April by the Steelers. When it came time for the Steelers to make their pick, GM K. Colbert was shocked tht Claypool was still available & then proceeded to pick him without hesitation
Teams considered him in the first round...
Teams considered him in the first round...
Chase Claypool is a monstrous physical presence on the football field. He thrives at high pointing the ball with body control and is extremely difficult for one guy to tackle. NFL scouts and GMs compare him physically to Vincent Jackson & Calvin Johnson.
One of the biggest things that stood out to HC Mike Tomlin and GM Kevin Colbert was that Claypool improved every single year since his freshman year.
Claypool averaged 1 TD per game his senior year.
Claypool averaged 1 TD per game his senior year.
One of the main arguments I've been seeing against CC is that he didn’t have huge production his SO or JR years. Since CC’s FR year, he has gone through 5 different QB changes. I think any rational person would agree that the repetitions & timing between a QB & WR is critical.
During CC’s SO and JR seasons, Brandon Wimbush posted completion percentages of 49.5% and 52.9%.
This is another reason CC's numbers suffered because the QB didn’t know how to throw the football. CC is 6’4’’ with an huge catch radius & Wimbush still couldn’t get him the ball.
This is another reason CC's numbers suffered because the QB didn’t know how to throw the football. CC is 6’4’’ with an huge catch radius & Wimbush still couldn’t get him the ball.
In addition to that, Notre Dame is a very run heavy team compared to most of the other teams in College Football. (RB University, Alabama Crimson Tide, have a lower run percentage than Notre Dame.)
CC was a 3 year starter at Notre Dame.
CC’s sophomore year he was 2nd on the team in receptions and receiving yards. CC was not even the number 2 option on the offense he was the 1B. The leading WR, Equanimeous St. Brown, only had 4 more receptions than CC did the entire season
CC’s sophomore year he was 2nd on the team in receptions and receiving yards. CC was not even the number 2 option on the offense he was the 1B. The leading WR, Equanimeous St. Brown, only had 4 more receptions than CC did the entire season
Claypool’s junior year he was also second in receptions, receiving yards, and TDs. Miles Boykin finished with 9 more receptions than Claypool did however Claypool out snapped Boykin by almost 60 snaps over the course of the season.
CC's prolific blocking earned him more PT
CC's prolific blocking earned him more PT
Claypool’s senior year he dominated. He led the team in receptions, receiving yards, and TDs. He had a target share of 28.6% while the next closest was the TE Kmet, 14.9%. This was also his first year of consistent QB play.
Will Chase Claypool switch from WR to TE? The answer is NO.
I recently had a conversation with @DonnieDruin , who covers the Steelers for Sports Illustrated and is very close to the organization, regarding Claypool potentially switching to TE and this was his answer:
I recently had a conversation with @DonnieDruin , who covers the Steelers for Sports Illustrated and is very close to the organization, regarding Claypool potentially switching to TE and this was his answer:
What Donnie and I discussed echoes the comments of what OC Randy Fichtner has been saying since they drafted him. He has no intention of Claypool playing TE. Claypool is going to come in on day 1 and play special teams right away as well as be involved in red zone packages.
In addition to playing the outside X receiver role, Fichtner has mentioned multiple times how he wants to teach Claypool to play the slot position. Fichtner also said he loves this kid because he is coachable and “there is no job too small for him”.
CC should see a lot of playing time in his rookie year simply bc of his prolific blocking ability. This is one if the reasons he was on the field so much at ND early on is because he is such a good blocker. With a high % snap count, the targets will come.
I expect him to take a Martavis type approach to begin the season. He will play situationally at first but as the season progresses it should quickly develop into a full time starter role in 3 WR sets. CC will jump JW sooner rather than later on the depth chart.
CC has excellent route running skills for 6’4’’ 238 lbs. He has phenomenal short are quickness along with his incredible ability to shift his weight while running routes. Even for being a ‘big guy’, he can run every route on the route tree.
In this clip, CC runs a perfect out route. He does a tremendous job of shifting his weight from his left foot back to his right, which sells the DB like he is going inside but then cuts back out. The QB should have led him to the sideline but didn’t. Bad throw great catch.
The body control and awareness in this is insane. Awful throw, great catch.
Just because he is big doesn’t mean he is limited to fades at the goal line. Another great example of Claypool shifting his weight from one leg to the other selling the defender on the outside route then cutting back in.
But if you’re a fan of the fade, he can do that too. Press man coverage, gets around the defender and uses his 6’4” frame to go and get it.
In this clip, Claypool does a great job of readjusting his body while falling down to make the back shoulder catch. (Against an elite defense.)
CC’s rookie projection is 500-600 yards with 3-5 TDs. I have asked multiple ppl about how they feel about this projection and some responded by saying that this is his floor. It is very clear to see that the Steelers organization is extremely excited about CC.
So in the end I am confused as to why people are fading this guy. You have an entire coaching staff telling you they are going to play this guy early and often. Opportunity is everything in fantasy football and this guy will be getting a lot of it.
2021 is the DJ CC show
2021 is the DJ CC show
