Chase Claypool | WR/TE | Notre Dame
Elevator Pitch
A big-bodied, physical specimen with an enticing combination of length, strength and speed, Claypool has plenty of physical tools to work with. He won’t offer teams much after the catch, but the mismatch he brings and the flashes of polish he shows off make him worth a look late on Day 2.
Vitals
Height | 6-4
Weight | 238
Strengths
If you’re looking for a big and physical wideout, you’ll find exactly that in Claypool.
With size and bulk that gives him a frame that looks a lot like that of a tight end, Claypool is a lengthy target on the outside with a large catch radius. He plays with impressive play strength against man coverage, boxing out defenders well and utilizing his strength to create forceful separation. His strong hands allow him to make difficult grabs in tight windows. That physicality gives him value as a run blocker, as his determination and physicality overwhelms defensive backs often. He also has proven to be a more-than-capable cover defender on special teams.
Claypool isn’t just a big receiver, though: he can move. As if his 4.42 40-yard dash didn’t make it apparent enough, the Golden Domer has good acceleration off the snap for such a big wideout and can stretch the field as a vertical threat if need be. He does a good job of attacking leverage points against his defenders, and he has shown that he can make subtle moves with his feet to open up his opponents’ hips and make them susceptible to whichever cut he plans on making. He has the ball skills and the body control to high point and make tough adjustments to the ball. His production was great in 2019, as he had 66 catches for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Weaknesses
Though Claypool’s skill set is abundant with physical talents, lateral quickness isn’t one of them. The big man struggles with making defenders miss after the catch, as he’s a little stiff in his lower body when he tries to cut with the ball in his hands. His acceleration coming out of his breaks isn’t as good as his straight-line speed, either. While he’s good in contested catch situations, having to rely on them as much as he does isn’t ideal.
Claypool does plenty of physicality, but his release against press is pretty average. He doesn’t have the quick-twitch agility to utilize a speed release, and his hands aren’t quick enough to swat away defenders consistently. He can do a better job of sinking his hips into his cuts, though it is admittedly tougher for a player with his length.
Projection: 3rd-4th Round
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