Pittsburgh Steelers playing to Chase Claypool’s strengths

The Pittsburgh Steelers played to rookie Chase Claypool’s strengths to produce a game to remember.

It was another day at the office for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as they looked much improved on offense en route to a 38-29 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The offense clicked in large part due to a breakout performance from rookie wide receiver Chase Claypool, who Pittsburgh selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Claypool’s stock rose throughout the draft process, and he was a big winner at the NFL Scouting Combine, posting absurd numbers for his 6’4″, 238-pound frame. He ran a 4.42 in the 40, posted a 40.5-inch vertical jump, and jumped 126 inches in the broad jump. He had some limitations on tape, but the athletic profilings and upside were prevalent.

All it would take for Claypool to succeed early was to get in a good situation with an offense to play to his strengths, something common for most players entering the NFL as rookies. Most need to acclimate to NFL speed, size, and scheme, but easing them in helps their confidence grow.

That’s what the Steelers, who have proven to be among the best at scouting wide receivers in the last decade, did last Sunday.

Claypool’s strengths were well-highlighted by draft analysts. He possessed the speed and physicality to win vertically and had very good skills after the catch. Claypool had some of the best hands in the class, could win through contact, and possessed true tenacity as a blocker.

So what did the Pittsburgh Steelers do on Claypool’s seven-catch, 110-yard, four-total-touchdown day? They maximized his strengths and gave him an opportunity to excel using the traits he possessed coming out of college.

On his first touchdown, along with his two other rush attempts, Pittsburgh got Claypool the ball on jet motion (for the score) and on reverses, where he could use his speed to reach the corner and erase angles, then finish with his strength. The touchdown was a very good play call.

Philadelphia’s defense played off-coverage a lot in the game, and the Steelers took advantage. Defensive backs have to respect Claypool’s speed when off the line to avoid getting beat deep, and Claypool won on a curl route with easy separation for one of his catches.

His other touchdown at the goal line was another good design, but Claypool used his strength and comfort through contact to secure it.

Claypool also received a couple of targets deeper down the field, and it’s telling to see that Pittsburgh wants to get him the ball vertically and trust he can win matchups with his speed/strength combo. He nearly secured a ball against tight coverage on the sideline after a double move, something we’ll likely see the Steelers go back to this season.

As for his other two scores? One was another versus off-man, where Claypool ran a quick slant and used his speed and YAC prowess to make the safety pay for a steeper angle, outrunning him for the score. The next one was a simple scheme win. Eagles linebacker Nate Gerry was tasked with carrying Claypool down the middle of the field, and it was an easy win, as the safeties were paying attention elsewhere.

A couple of parting shots from the study are as follows. Claypool looked comfortable running short in and out-breaking routes, something evident on his Notre Dame tape. His technical prowess running the slant route against tight man coverage has improved, as he won a rep against Darius Slay with a quick jab step and hand swipe to work through contact.

The potential is sky high for Claypool, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are smart to continues to highlight his strengths in the passing game.