Pittsburgh Steelers 2020 NFL Draft Grades

Grade: A+

The Pittsburgh Steelers were incredibly fortunate the 2020 NFL Draft had such a deep wide receiver class. It allowed them to snag a premier player that, in other years, would almost certainly be drafted earlier than he was.

Chase Claypool was one of the more interesting receiver prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft, as his bigger size and frame had many experts tagging him to be a tight end in the NFL. At 6-foot-4, 238-pounds, he has the size and speed to be a big-body receiver. These projections changed after this year’s Combine, where Claypool ran a 4.42 40-yard dash, proving his NFL speed.

Claypool is actually perfect for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round. So much so that NFL Mocks had him being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in our final 2020 NFL Mock Draft. Because of his unique combination of size and speed, the Notre Dame receiver fits two roles the team needed to fill this year: wide receiver and/or tight end.

At the wide receiver position, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been short of a quality deep threat since Antonio Brown orchestrated a trade in the 2019 offseason. JuJu Smith-Schuster was supposed to take that role in 2019, but injuries and increased attention from the defense made that difficult. Claypool won’t take his vertical routes any time soon, but another target on the field could help divert defenders away from Smith-Schuster.

The team is also short on tight end talent, as 2019 starter Vance McDonald has a history of injuries. The team did trade for Eric Ebron during this year’s offseason. But Ebron has a history of hot and cold play. A former first-rounder, Ebron was labeled a bust before having a breakout year in 2018. But in 2019 he regressed again and it is unclear how reliable week to week he will be for Roethlisberger.

Drafting a player like Claypool is like addressing two roster spots with one pick. If Ebron or McDonald continue having trouble this season, a player like Claypool could step in and handle tight end duties. However, he will still make a quality slot receiver if that doesn’t happen, providing a quality target in the middle of the field for Roethlisberger.

Claypool dominates the space at the catch point. His long arms and 40.5-inch vertical jump makes him a great proximity receiver. Quarterbacks just have to throw it over his defender’s head and Claypool will likely come down with the ball.

Considering Roethlisberger only has two more years on his contract, the Pittsburgh Steelers needed to surround him with quality talent in the 2020 NFL Draft. If Colbert hopes to make one more Super Bowl run in the next two seasons, Roethlisberger is going to need all the offensive help he can get. Claypool can expect to see an active role in the receiver rotation this season. Good fit for everyone involved.