Steelers fans could get their wish with Chase Claypool in 2022

Chase Claypool had a down season in 2021, but here’s why a shift in roles could revive the young wide receiver’s career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

After a spectacular rookie season in 2020, Steelers fans obviously had high hopes for Chase Claypool in his second NFL season. Sadly, the former second-round pick didn’t do a lot to impress during the 2021 season, as he seemed to have taken a noticeable step back on film.

While Claypool’s receiving yards remained roughly the same (873 to 860), his total touchdowns dropped from 11 all the way down to 2. He also was credited with 5 dropped passes and 3 interceptions thrown in his direction when targeted, via Pro Football Reference.

All around, the performance from Claypool in 2021 left a lot to be desired, but there are plenty of reasons to believe he could redeem himself in year three.

Early at Steelers training camp, George Pickens has clearly been the star of the show. The talented, young receiver has turned heads with his ability to get down the field and pluck the ball out of the air with ease.

Because of Diontae Johnson’s hold-in, Pickens has taken most of his snaps from Johnson’s ‘X’ receiver position. This is probably where he projects best in the future. However, other decisions at the WR position are even more interesting.

Despite primarily lining up as the ‘Z’ receiver for the Steelers in 2021, Pittsburgh has placed Chase Claypool in the slot for most of his snaps to begin training camp. This is something I have been hoping for, but I didn’t know if we would see it happen.

Claypool could be a weapon from the slot for Steelers

During the offseason, I broke down some of Claypool’s film and made the case why he should be operating out of the slot. Claypool isn’t a very natural receiver in terms of his ability to adjust to the ball or run routes. However, he is a terrific athlete who can make some plays with the ball in his hands.

Playing Claypool from the slot will allow the Steelers to get their most athletic pass-catcher in some easier situations. They can put him on a drag, dump him the ball, and allow him to blow by linebackers or safeties with his long strides. They could also use him as a field stretcher from the seam — something that worked quite well last season.

Interestingly, the Steelers have primarily had Anthony Miller as the starting ‘Z’ receiver at training camp. Miller has lined up opposite of George Pickens with Claypool manning the slot position. Miller is a slot receiver by trade, so the fact that Pittsburgh is getting Claypool the reps from the slot is a pretty good sign that they intend to use him here often this season.

When Johnson returns to the lineup, it looks like the Steelers will have a WR lineup of Johnson and Pickens on the outside with Claypool in the slot during ’11’ personnel packages.

Claypool has not been overly efficient as a receiver early in his career, but I think part of that has to do with playing him out of position. I feel much more confident that Claypool could be a reliable difference-maker from the slot than he can as a deep threat outside the hashes. I’m very excited to see how this plays out in 2022.