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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool has flashed the ability that made him a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. However, Claypool has also endured criticism for his perceived lack of effort and maturity. The outside voices haven’t undermined the Steelers wideout’s confidence. Quite the opposite. Speaking on the I Am Athlete podcast, Claypool revealed where he believes he stands in the NFL’s wide receiver rankings, per Pro Football Talk.
“I’m going to say, my second year, I was a better player than I was my first year,” Claypool said. “The plays just didn’t work out, right? Some of the plays just didn’t go my way. I didn’t make some plays I need to make. But as a football player, understanding the game, knowing what to do, knowing where to be, I was better. So I’m going to be better this year.
“And just like you said, understanding I’m not normal — I feel that way when I’m on the field. I know for a fact I am not like the rest of the guys in the NFL. I know I’m a top-five receiver. I know I’m a top-three receiver.”
Claypool believes he’s a “top-three receiver” in the NFL. That is an incredibly bold take for someone who has yet to crack the 1000-yard mark in the NFL.
The 23-year-old, who will be catching passes from the likes of Steelers quarterbacks Mitchell Trubisky and Kenny Pickett, set himself a lofty goal of 1300 yards and 10-plus receiving touchdowns.
While it seems unrealistic, it’s good that Claypool has such a strong belief in himself. Now, he’ll have to go out on the field and make it happen.