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Chase Claypool

Second-year wideout highlight of HoF Game

Watching the Hall of Fame game last night, the most notable offensive standout on either team was Steelers wideout Chase Claypool (3 catches, 62 yards). It serves as a reminder that even in a deep receiving corps, the second-year receiver has the talent to stand out this season. He was awfully impressive as a rookie.

The youngster's night included a scary moment where he laid out for a 45-yard reception, on which he seemed to be shaken up -- he left the field and didn't return. But afterward he was standing around on the sidelines looking a-OK, so looks like no harm done. Maybe don't play him too much in the remaining exhibitions? We can hope.

Claypool tailed off in the second half of last season, most notably scoring only once in the final six games. And Pittsburgh surprisingly re-signed JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency, bringing back all four of their capable wideouts (including Diontae Johnson and James Washington), which will make it more difficult for Claypool to be an offensive focal point -- lots of competition.

But on the whole, Claypool's rookie season was remarkable -- one of the best from the last decade. He scored 11 touchdowns (9 receiving, 2 rushing). That's one of the top 4 performances by a rookie since 2010. The three who were better have all turned out pretty well: Tyreek Hill, Odell Beckham (when healthy) and Mike Evans. On the strength of those touchdowns, Claypool finished as the 23rd-best PPR wide receiver, even with Pittsburgh having that deep receiving corps.

TOP SCORING ROOKIE WIDEOUTS, 2011-2020
YearPlayerRunNoRecTDPPRFF
2016Tyreek Hill, K.C.2676159312219.018
2014Odell Beckham, NYG3591130512297.08
2014Mike Evans, T.B.068105112245.113
2020Chase Claypool, Pitt.166287311216.923
2018Calvin Ridley, Atl.276482110208.820
2019A.J. Brown, Ten.605210519217.122
2016Michael Thomas, N.O.09211379259.77
2014Kelvin Benjamin, Car.07310089227.816
2013Cordarrelle Patterson, Min.158454699161.738
2019Darius Slayton, NYG0487408170.037
2017JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pitt.0589178197.720
2016Sterling Shepard, NYG31656838184.436
2015Tyler Lockett, Sea.20516648167.441
2014Jordan Matthews, Phil.0678728202.225
2014Martavis Bryant, Pitt.12265498130.161
2013Keenan Allen, S.D.07110468223.618
2012T.Y. Hilton, Ind.29508618187.028
2011Julio Jones, Atl.56549598203.521
2020Justin Jefferson, Min.28814007274.26
2020CeeDee Lamb, Dall.82749357219.722
2020Brandon Aiyuk, S.F.77607487184.535
2020Gabriel Davis, Buff.0355997136.957
2019DK Metcalf, Sea.11589007193.129
2019Terry McLaurin, Was.0589197191.930
2019Marquise Brown, Balt.0465847146.446
2019Mecole Hardman, K.C.17265387123.559
2018Anthony Miller, Chi.26334237120.360
2013Marlon Brown, Balt.-2495247145.248
2011A.J. Green, Cin.536510577218.017
2011Torrey Smith, Balt.39508417180.030
2020Tee Higgins, Cin.28679086196.628
2019Deebo Samuel, S.F.159578026191.131
2019Diontae Johnson, Pitt.41596806167.139
2019Steven Sims, Was.85343106109.566
2015Amari Cooper, Oak.-37210706214.721
2014Sammy Watkins, Buff.8659826200.027
2014Allen Hurns, Jac.0516776154.749
2013Tavon Austin, St.L.151404186132.953
2011Titus Young, Det.15486076148.245
2011Denarius Moore, Oak.61336186136.951
2020Laviska Shenault, Jac.91586005157.146
2018Antonio Callaway, Cle.7435865134.354
2018Dante Pettis, S.F.-2274675103.571
2018TreQuan Smith, N.O.0284275100.773
2017Cooper Kupp, LAR0628695178.925
2015Seth Roberts, Oak.0324805112.063
2015Devin Funchess, Car.0314735108.365
2014Jarvis Landry, Mia.-4847585189.430
2014John Brown, Ariz.-6486965147.053
2013Terrance Williams, Dall.4447365150.045
2013Kenny Stills, N.O.10326415127.156
2012Justin Blackmon, Jac.23648655184.829
2012Josh Gordon, Cle.0508055160.541

Last season was a great year for rookie wideouts. Claypool was one of five to score at least 7 touchdowns, and despite his 11 he was overshadowed by a couple of guys (Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb) who had better all-around seasons.

But Claypool caught my eye last night. Little more competition for targets in what might be a worse offense with an elderly quarterback than some of the other second-year wideouts, but a really talented guy, and a player who will be a lot easier to land in drafts than the other second-year wide receivers.

--Andy Richardson

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