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The Pittsburgh Steelers have had fairly success with rookie receivers of their historical past. Going again to the Chuck Noll period, there’s a lengthy checklist of notable gamers who got here in and performed properly instantly. Within the Kevin Colbert period, the Steelers’ group has been generally known as a large receiver manufacturing unit. It appears as in the event that they draft them, they’ll finally flip into one thing particular.
That is the case for a lot of gamers, however no receiver within the Mike Tomlin period jumped off the display screen as a lot as Chase Claypool did in 2020. The previous Notre Dame product, and 2nd spherical choose within the 2020 NFL Draft, wasted little time getting acclimated to the skilled sport. This and not using a preseason too.
With the season over, and all of us now have time to mirror on the 12 months that was, I questioned how Claypool’s rookie marketing campaign ranked amongst among the most prolific broad receivers in Steelers historical past.
Check out the important thing metrics I used for the gamers under:
Hines Ward
Video games: 16
Receptions: 15 (33 targets)
Yards: 246 (Lengthy: 45)
TD (Whole): 0
Santonio Holmes
Video games: 16
Receptions: 49 (86 targets)
Yards: 824 (Lengthy: 67)
TD (Whole): 2
Plaxico Burress
Video games: 12
Receptions: 22 (65 targets)
Yards: 273 (Lengthy: 39)
TD (Whole): 0
Antonio Brown
Video games: 9
Receptions: 16 (19 targets)
Yards: 167 (Lengthy: 26)
TD (Whole): 0
Mike Wallace
Video games: 16
Receptions: 39 (72 targets)
Yards: 756 (Lengthy: 60)
TD (Whole): 6
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Video games: 14
Receptions: 58 (79 targets)
Yards: 917 (Lengthy: 97)
TD (Whole): 7
Louis Lipps
Video games: 14
Receptions: 45
Yards: 860 (Lengthy: 80)
TD (Whole): 10
Lynn Swann
Video games: 12
Receptions: 11
Yards: 208 (Lengthy: 54)
TD (Whole): 2
John Stallworth
Video games: 13
Receptions: 16
Yards: 269 (Lengthy: 56)
TD (Whole): 1
these gamers, now examine the outcomes Claypool was in a position to accomplish within the 2020 season:
Chase Claypool
Video games: 16
Receptions: 62 (109 targets)
Yards: 873 (Lengthy: 84)
TD (Whole): 11
I absolutely perceive it isn’t truthful to match Claypool’s rookie season to that of Lipps, Swann or Stallworth. Why? Within the 70s and early 80s they weren’t throwing the ball as a lot as they’re within the trendy period of NFL soccer.
Simply have a look at Claypool’s targets (109) in comparison with the others, it must be famous targets had been tracked for gamers like Swann and Stallworth. These numbers don’t even come shut as compared. However that additionally shouldn’t diminish what Claypool was in a position to obtain in his first season as knowledgeable.
At this level within the 12 months, the main target ought to flip away from his first marketing campaign and switch into what can he do in his second season. Opposing protection gained’t be sleeping on Claypool like many did final season. Will he have a sophomore droop, or a standout sophomore season?
Solely time will inform, however Claypool has actually inserted himself as having the most effective, if not the very best, rookie season in Pittsburgh Steelers historical past.
You’ll want to keep tuned to BTSC for the most recent information and notes surrounding the black and gold as they put together for the brand new league 12 months, NFL Free Company and the 2021 NFL Draft.
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