2020 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers 7-round mock draft

Barring a trade, the Pittsburgh Steelers will not go on the clock until the middle of the second round in the 2020 NFL Draft. That is going to put the top five wide receivers in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Colbert’s reach. Still, the wide receiver class this year is so deep the Steelers can still find a quality wide receiver in the second round.

With Notre Dame senior Chase Claypool, the Steelers draft a versatile wide receiver who can potentially plug two roster holes on the offense. Since Antonio Brown left during the 2019 offseason, the Steelers have been lacking a true number one receiver.

JuJu Smith-Schuster was supposed to serve that role last season after a phenomenal 2018 season that saw him bring in 1,426 receiving yards. But without Brown drawing away the opposing team’s best cornerback and double teams in 2019 Smith-Schuster regressed, catching 53 fewer receptions than he had in 2018.

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Claypool would add another dimension to the Pittsburgh Steelers passing game, which ranked 31st in 2019, according to NFL.com. For a receiver who measures in at 6-foot-4, 238-pounds, Claypool is surprisingly nimble, running a 4.42-40 yard (unofficial), according to his NFL scouting profile. Having lined up outside and at slot receiver positions at Notre Dame, Claypool has experience playing a variety of roles at wide receiver.

At the same time, Claypool has been slated by draft experts to play as a tight end once in the NFL. While running the seventh-fasted 40-yard dash at this year’s Combine (while also being the biggest WR in the 2020 NFL Draft) has silenced some draft experts tight end label, he could perhaps serve a tight end role for the Steelers, if current roster options on the team don’t pan out.

The Steelers came into the 2020 free-agency window needing a second tight end to pair with often-injured Vance McDonald. The Steelers picked up Eric Ebron from the Indianapolis Colts, but Ebron has a history of being hot then cold when it comes to production. Labeled a bust with the Detroit Lions, Ebron was traded to the Colts and experienced a renaissance of his career with Andrew Luck passing him the ball.

But in 2019, Ebron once again didn’t produce up to his first-round billing, bringing in 10 fewer touchdowns than he had in 2018. He also played five fewer games in 2019, absences having also been a problem for Ebron. Since being drafted in 2014, Ebron only has two seasons where he played a full 16-game season.

If Ebron and/or McDonald continue to have health issues this season, Claypool would be a logical fit at the tight end position. But after reviewing his tape, it might still make sense to keep Claypool at the receiver position, even if their starting tight ends fail to produce.

Claypool is a tough wide receiver, who can dominate press coverage and pushy cornerbacks at the line of scrimmage. His 4.42 speed means he is surprisingly quick off the snap. His large frame combined with his nearly five and a half foot wingspan makes a large target for Roethlisberger to hit. He plays great underneath, being able to dominate defenders along the seams and on comebacks, but can be just as effective as an outside the numbers deep receiver.

Claypool shines in other ways too. His size makes him useful in run blocking and his competitive style allows him to beat cornerbacks at the catch point. His size and speed allow him to be a useful special teams player as well if he can’t produce on the offense.

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Claypool is a versatile receiver through and through. With 13 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards receiving in his senior year, Claypool is one of the sneaky good receivers in the 2020 NFL Draft, being overshadowed by the absurdly good receiver class.

Normally, the Pittsburgh Steelers would likely skip on a receiver so early in the draft. They have a great history of finding hidden receiver talent in the later rounds and developing them into stars. But Claypool’s potential to be a dual-position, multi-position receiver might be too good to miss at No. 49. The Steelers need playmakers on the offense, especially in the passing game, where they floundered in the 2019 season.

At the end of the day, Roethlisberger in 2020 will be one year older and one year slower. His offensive line is already starting to regress and key components of the once-stellar unit have retired or moved on. Roethlisberger will likely have less time in the pocket over the next two seasons, along with diminished ability to pass deep.

Without a vertical passing threat like Brown on the roster, it would behoove Mike Tomlin and the Steelers coaching staff to have Big Ben make passes at the short and intermediate level. A receiver like Claypool is perfect for an offense like that, as he can dominate defenders in the middle of the field, while also serving as a quality deep threat from time to time.

With another strong threat at the receiver position, his presence could once again free Smith-Schuster from double teams, increasing the potential he becomes a key cog in the Pittsburgh Steelers offense once again.