Ranking Pittsburgh Steelers best options at slot receiver in 2021

2. Chase Claypool

Does it surprise you that Chase Claypool is the second-best slot option for the Steelers? It probably shouldn’t. If you watched his college film at Notre Dame, he actually won here quite often. In fact, despite his remarkable athletic testing numbers at the NFL Combine, many thought he was destined to be a ‘big slot’ in the NFL.

While Claypool has already proved to be much more than this, he is more than capable of handling slot duties when need be. His ability to cross the face of a linebacker and pull away with speed is not something that most slot receivers can do. In addition, Claypool possesses the remarkable size and has showcased the ability to box out defenders and win at the catch point.

However, like Johnson, it’s hard to justify moving Claypool on the inside when he was so valuable down the sidelines last year. When he wasn’t making a play down the field, the 6’4”, 238-pound receiver was typically drawing a pass interference or defensive holding call.

Claypool is a prototype “Z” receiver with the ability to move around the formation and win down the field, but he can be a quality slot receiver if need be. Still, there is one player who is a better option…