One of the top Canadians in the NCAA could be considering a position change.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish receiver Chase Claypool has put on nearly 10 pounds since he was last officially weighed at the Senior Bowl in January according to ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Jim Nagy. Why? Well, there’s been a lot of discussion about Claypool possibly moving down the line a little bit and convert to a tight end.
Spoke to four scouts and three said Notre Dame’s Chase Claypool won today’s weigh-ins. Put on nine pounds since @seniorbowl (229 lbs in Mobile and 238 today). Might be embracing the TE conversion. He’s going to be a mismatch problem at the next level.#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE pic.twitter.com/J8EBFq1Hci
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 24, 2020
3DownNation’s J.C. Abbott believes that a move to tight end could open up more opportunities for Claypool as there’s plenty of depth at the receiver position but no true consensus number one tight end. That means a move could see Claypool’s stock rise in the draft.
Many teams like the idea of converting Claypool to a TE and it could dramatically alter his draft stock. The WR pool is incredibly deep but there isn’t a true stud TE in this draft. Claypool could capitalize on that weakness in the talent pool and rise up boards. https://t.co/okhtQOGmQ1
— JC Abbott (@JC_AbbottCFL) February 24, 2020
As NFL offences have evolved the last few years, the tight end position has become more important than ever. Not only in pass protection but as pass catchers as well.
Claypool capped his NCAA career with an MVP performance in the Camping World Bowl. He made seven receptions for 146 yards and one touchdown in the University of Notre Dame’s 33-9 victory against Iowa State University. The six-foot-four, 229-pound Claypool was a mismatch versus the Cyclones’ small secondary.
The Abbotsford, B.C. native was named the Irish’s Most Valuable Player for the 2019 season, making 66 catches for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns. He totaled 150 grabs for 2,159 yards and 19 touchdowns over four seasons with Notre Dame.
The NFL draft is set for April 23-25 in Paradise, Nevada and Claypool is projected to be a Day 1 or Day 2 selection. Through the NFL Combine — February 23-March 2 in Indianapolis.
