Canadian Nate Burleson knows what it takes to succeed in the National Football League.
The Calgary native played 11 seasons in the NFL, three in Minnesota, four with Seattle and finished his career by playing four years in Detroit. He suited up alongside two of the greatest pass catchers in NFL history, Randy Moss and Calvin Johnson, witnessing rare talent firsthand.
The colourful NFL Network analyst believes Canadian rookie Chase Claypool has the physical traits to breakout as a rookie. Claypool ran a 4.42 40-yard time at the 2020 NFL Combine, recorded a 40.5-inch vertical, 10-foot, six-inch broad jump and bench pressed 225 pounds 19 times.
“This is a big, tall, framed wide receiver — six-foot-four, 240 pounds. That is right in the Julio Jones body frame, Calvin Johnson body frame. And from what I’m hearing out of camp, he’s been showing off that 4.42 speed, those receiving skills, that route-running ability,” Burleson said on Game Day Morning.
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Claypool in the second round, 49th overall of the NFL draft in late April, investing significant capital into the Abbotsford, British Columbia native. Head coach Mike Tomlin, quarterback Ben Roethlisgerger and current No. 1 target JuJu Smith-Schuster have been raving about Claypool leading up to his NFL debut on Monday Night Football against the New York Giants.
“I’m calling it right now, he’ll have one touchdown and 100 yards. If he’s the perfect compliment to JuJu, then he’s going to be JuJu’s juju,” Burleson said.
“If JuJu doesn’t ball out, then he is going to be the guy they go to next to hand the torch over as the next great wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
