Every season for the past 3 years there has been a different wide receiver to lead in Pittsburgh among their teammates. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Antonio Brown, and Diontae Johnson have been very dominant during their time in Pittsburgh. Insert Rookie Chase Claypool in 2020 and once again the Steelers have found another gem in regards to the wide receiver position.
Claypool became the first rookie in Steelers history to score four touchdowns in a game, and the third player to do so in team history. Not only did Claypool set many records for his rookie season, but he also managed to put up some big numbers. Claypool had 62 receptions, 873 receiving yards, and 9 touchdowns. He averaged 14.1 receiving yards per catch which is ranked 27th among wide receivers in the NFL.
Bleacher Report feels Chase Claypool will become the new dominant wide receiver in Pittsburgh going forward. Even though Diontae Johnson led the wide receivers in 2020... Claypool was not far behind Johnson. Bleacher believes Claypool was the most efficient rookie on the Steelers in 2020. Which makes sense because when Claypool received the ball he did a lot of damage of the football field. So much damage that other NFL teams were putting their top cornerbacks on Claypool midway through his rookie season.
Claypool's average depth of target in 2020 was 13.2 compared to JuJu's 5.5 and Johnson's 7.9. Ben Roethlisberger loved to throw to Claypool as the season went on last year. He will look to throw to him more in 2021. Although the Steelers will slow down on throwing the ball in 2021 with the addition of Najee Harris Bleacher Report still feels Claypool will break 1,000 receiving yards in 2021. I agree with them because he will be used in a big way with Matt Canada taking over the offense. They predict Claypool will have 79 catches, 1,067 yards, and 11 touchdowns in 2021.
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