Chase Claypool has been making the rounds in the media lately. Both Bob Labriola and Gerry Dulac have said Claypool had 'diva' tendencies during the 2020 season. Rod Woodson also said most wide receivers are 'divas,' but the question is how big of a diva will Claypool be? Let's pump the brakes on this at least until the future. You can't base someone after just one season. Also, Claypool is a rookie who should mature the more he plays football. So for now let's just table that conversation.
One of the biggest rookies in regards to the wide receiver positions was Justin Jefferson from the Vikings last season, but Claypool still made plenty of noise with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Among Rookie Receivers, Claypool finished 4th in receiving yards (873), 1st in receiving touchdowns (9), 4th in total receptions (62), 5th in receiving yards per game (54.6), and 4th in pass targets (109). Considering the Steelers held Claypool back in 2020 those are some fantastic numbers.
Claypool was named the Steelers Rookie of the Year in 2020 and was the recipient of the Joe Greene Great Performance Award. He also surprised many veteran players during training camp. Ben Roethlisberger said Claypool has God-Given Talent, Joe Haden says he was impressed, and Mike Hilton says he is a freakish athlete.
Not only did Claypool play great on the football field during his rookie season he also became the first Steelers rookie in franchise history to score 4 TDs in a single game (Eric Green, Franco Harris, and Jimmy Orr each had 3 as rookies). He became the first Steeler to score 4 touchdowns in a single game since 11/3/68 (Roy Jefferson). Finally, Claypool was the first Steelers rookie with a rushing touchdown and receiving touchdown in the same game since Franco Harris at Buffalo (10/29/72).
If Claypool can keep himself in check on social media and not bite the bait from the media he should become a great wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers. If JuJu Smith-Schuster leaves the Steelers during free agency expect Chase Claypool to take a huge step coming into 2021 alongside Diontae Johnson, and James Washington. Claypool should be even better in 2021 if the Steelers would just let him loose on the football field.
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