Steelers 2020 NFL draft recap: Re-tooling both offense and defense

The Steelers were able to draft a player with tremendous upside in round two of the draft

So, I don’t want to say I called the Chase Claypool pick, but I did write in a previous article about the possibility of his availability in the second round of the draft.  Of Claypool, I wrote this:

"With that said, I believe the Steelers biggest position of need is Wide Receiver, but not just any old receiver.  We need a ‘big body’ receiver who can stretch the field.  In other words, we need a big WR who is fast.  In steps Chase Claypool, WR from Notre Dame. At 6′ 4″, Claypool ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, so he’s fast and he’s big.  Now, will he be there in the second round?  Maybe, but probably not.  The point is this:  Claypool or another ‘big body’ receiver who is fast should be the target for the Steelers in the second round. Keep in mind that track speed is different from football speed.  Also, keep this in mind.  When the Steelers had Martavis Bryant, who was a ‘big body’ receiver and who was fast, the passing game seemed to ‘click’."

Don’t misunderstand; I am not ‘tooting my own horn’, but I had a feeling that if Claypool was there in the second round, the Steelers were going to draft him and we did.  It remains to be seen what his role will be, but I think, at least initially, the Steelers will utilize him in certain packages where his 4.4-second 40-yard dash speed can be showcased.

Even if Claypool is not an accomplished route runner ‘out of the gate’, I’m pretty sure he can run a ‘9’ route or ‘fly’ route to stretch the field, which is something the Steelers offense was sorely lacking last season.  If he can contribute in the run game via making a block to allow our running back to get into open space, all the better.

If you haven’t seen his highlight reel, here it is:  Chase Claypool 

Let’s continue by looking at who the Steelers drafted in rounds three.