“Chase Claypool. Smith-Schuster said when asked which offensive player has stood out in camp so far.
A young rookie coming in and using his size to ball-out. And that’s what he’s been doing. On the defensive side, that’s a good one… That whole defense is stacked, and their all good. That’s a tough one, man. I think everyone on that side is doing their thing. Every is balling. I don’t see no slacking on that defense.”
The 2020 second-round draft pick has been the talk of Steelers camp—by the media and his teammates. At 6’4” and 238 pounds with a 4.42 speed and a 40.5″ vertical jump, Claypool can go over the top of defenders and blow by them, making him a potentially devastating deep threat for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger—if he can earn the snaps.
Claypool has even got the best of cornerback Joe Haden in practice on a few occasions, and the three-time Pro Bowler praised Claypool's skills.
“He’s had a couple of plays on me in this camp. I’ve lined up against him pretty often. He’s a big, fast receiver. He’s able to adjust to the ball in the air. He hasn’t shown me anything too bad. He’s been able to be a big body, a deep threat with soft hands and can jump up and get it. As long as he stays healthy, I think he’s going to be a problem.
Rookies don't often make a huge impact for Pittsburgh, though Mike Tomlin may have to break from tradition and find ample time for Claypool—despite the lack of preseason games and typical offseason programs.