This rookie is very impressive, and I think he can transform our offense in three key areas. A clear upgrade and better than anyone we had in 2018 and 2019 in the following areas.
1 ) He's the big deep receiver the team has lacked since M. Bryant could pass a drug test. We saw this in his second pro game, where he just blew by the cornerback and took a deep pass the distance for 84 yards, which was the key play in the game. Claypool really makes the Steelers dangerous on the 7, 8 and 9 routes. A.K.A. The Deep Corner, Deep Post, and Go routes.
2 ) Sideline and jump balls. These are not easy plays to covert, but they are also hard plays to stop. Claypool's height 6'4" 1/2, combined with long arms, and leaping ability of 40 1/2" allows him to dominate these type of plays. We saw this in game 1 vs. the Giants, with a leaping sideline catch. IMO Claypool is the only player the Steelers, have that would have converted that play.
3 ) As an Edge or Screen Blocker, Claypool is a beast of a blocker, perhaps not quite the collision blocker as Hines Ward was, but he clearly uses his size and weight advantage and does it with technique. In my opinion, Claypool can be one of the best 10 wide receiver blockers in football. We can see this on-screen passes. If we ever get a faster back, this type of blocking will pay dividends on off-tackle runs, pitch plays, or sweeps. Claypool has 30-35 pound on most DB's.
With a little practice, at his size he's going to be a threat on hitch and comeback routes too. I also think Claypool with his size and speed would be a killer on play action, that is if the Steelers actually call it. Currently, he's 5 for 5 on targets. In the next two games I want to see 10 targets thown his way, I don't care if its at the expense of Washington or Ju-Ju, who's dinged up...again.
And speaking of Ju-Ju, we can not afford to re-sign him next year. He's going to leave as a free agent, meaning the best we will get is a 3rd round comp pick ( Around pick #100 overall ). A 4th round comp pick is not out of the queison either ( Around pick #142 ). If Claypool continues to shine, and a WR goes down from another team, I would be okay with trading Ju-Ju for a 2nd round pick to get the best possible value for him.
