Canadian receiver Chase Claypool has been drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2020 NFL draft.
He was chosen in the second round, 49th overall.
Claypool recently spoke with eight NFL teams including the New York Giants, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots.
The Abbotsford, B.C. native put on a phenomenal performance at the NFL combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds at six-foot-four and 238 pounds. He also recorded a 40.5-inch vertical leap, a 10-foot, six-inch broad jump, and 19 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.
Claypool bulked up prior to the combine in preparation for a potential position change. Though he caught 66 passes for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns at wide receiver in 2019, some scouts believe he could be even more impactful as a tight end. Given his combination of size and athleticism, Claypool has the tools necessary to play either position in the modern NFL.
The Steelers secure a dynamic weapon for veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. JuJu Smith-Schuster was selected in the second round, 62nd overall during the 2017 NFL draft and has become Pittsburgh’s No. 1 target when healthy. Young pass catchers Diontae Johnson and James Washington ranked first and third respectively in receptions last season.
The 21-year-old Claypool has a special blend of physicality and speed that could allow him to be productive at the NFL level.
