From now until the 2020 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to showcase as many prospects as possible and examine both their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these profiles will feature individuals that the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have an interest in, while a few others will be top-ranked players. If there is a player you would like us to analyze, let us know in the comments below.
#83/Chase Claypool/WR/Notre Dame/6’4”, 229 Lbs
The Good
-Big-bodied wide receiver that knows how to win with body positioning; physically dominant
-Dominates on 50/50 balls; just too strong for defenders and jumps above defenders
-Massive catch radius; high-points football with ease and has big, strong hands to rip football out of the air
-Does a great job of consistently working back to football, providing QB with big target
-Nasty, mean run blocker that looks to bury and embarrass opponent
-Key special teams player at Notre Dame; will play immediately in pros
The Bad
-Limited production overall; some of that can be put on offensive structure and scheme
-Doesn’t create a ton of separation in routes, if any
-Didn’t show a diverse, developed route tree at Notre Dame; lots of vertical routes (9s, posts) and quick crossing routes (drags)
-Struggles to stack vertically, but makes up for it with physicality in the air
-Not a YAC guy; needs build-up speed to win in space
-Not overly dynamic and explosive in and out of breaks; needs to develop a plan to win on releases
Bio
-Playing four years at Notre Dame, seeing action in all 50 games, starting 33 of them
-Finished four-year career with 150 receptions for 2,159 yards and 19 touchdowns
-Put up 66 catches for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns in senior season
-Named Camping Bowl MVP in win over Iowa State
-Sits seventh all-time at Notre Dame in receptions with 150
-Canadian-born player that is one of highest-rated recruits ever to come out of Canada
-Competed in 2020 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama
-Invited to 2020 NFL Scouting Combine
Tape Breakdown
Much like former teammate and current Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Miles Boykin, Notre Dame product Chase Claypool, is a big, physical specimen at wide receiver that is dominant on 50/50 balls.