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We’re starting to see some consensus picks for the New Orleans Saints in 2020 NFL mock drafts, with ESPN analysts Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. both linking the Saints to Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray. The huge free agent pickup of Emmanuel Sanders has pushed wide receiver down the list of roster needs in New Orleans, but it’s not off the board entirely.
That’s something George Chahrouri of Pro Football Focus kept in mind when he helped update the PFF Analytics Mock Draft, connecting the Saints to a pass-catching prospect. But it’s not someone commonly projected to be selected as high as No. 24 overall: Notre Dame wide receiver Chase Claypool.
GC: Claypool figures to be exactly the amorphous offensive weapon that Sean Payton loves in New Orleans. With the addition of Emmanuel Sanders and now Claypool, the Saints will make sure Drew Brees doesn’t struggle through his last few seasons without a potent offense.
Claypool broke out in his 2019 senior year with 66 catches for 1,037 yards, and an impressive 13 touchdown grabs (in 13 games). That followed a gradual rise up the depth chart throughout his career at Notre Dame, in which he progressed from just five catches for 81 yards total as a freshman to averaging 36.5 yards per game as a sophomore, and 49.2 yards per game as a junior. While he could be characterized as a late bloomer, it’s nice to see that Claypool put in the work to earn more responsibilities in the offense.
But he really turned heads at this year’s NFL combine, where Claypool tipped the scales at 6-foot-4, 238 pounds with an 80-inch wingspan and hands measuring 9 7/8 inches wide. But unlike many big targets, Claypool followed up a great weigh-in with rare athletic testing. He timed the 40 yard dash in just 4.42 seconds and jumped 40.5 inches vertically (as well as 126 inches broad). He’s an explosive athlete with great long speed for someone his size, and it’s reasonable to think his best football is ahead of him.
The question the Saints and other teams must consider is where he grades out relative to the rest of this draft class. Claypool was the ninth receiver to be picked in the first round of this mock draft, which feels unlikely once the real thing kicks off. With so many viable options, teams should be expected to wait and angle for better value in the later rounds rather than spending their first selections on a top-rated prospect. Then again, the NFL draft is wildly unpredictable. Maybe there’s a scenario where Claypool would be the best player available when the Saints are on the clock.
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