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With Diontae Johnson potentially out, it could be time to shine for Chase Claypool

Editorial — The Pittsburgh Steelers notched a huge victory against the Houston Texans on Sunday. It wasn’t the most thrilling of match ups, not a huge rivalry for the Steelers — unless you count sibling rivalries. However, the win marked a 3-0 start for the Steelers this season.

It’s quite the contrast from last year.

We all know the story by heart. Ben Roethlisberger goes down with an elbow injury. The defense was keeping the Steelers in games last year, while the offense underwhelmed immensely. It was even a shock to many Steelers fans that the team pushed for a potential playoff spot, making the NFL go to the final week of regular-season action before solidifying spots.

This year, the script has been revamped and revised. Roethlisberger is healthy and the offense has a sense of energy to it. The excitement sprawled on JuJu Smith-Schuster’s face toward the end of the Houston Texans game said it all.

It’s fun to be a Pittsburgh Steelers player.

Chase Claypool is learning that, too. The Canadian that was drafted by the Steelers this past offseason has been enjoying time on the field for Pittsburgh. He isn’t a starter yet, and that’s fine. He’s still learning the ropes, just like Smith-Schuster did a few years ago behind Antonio Brown.

Clayp0ol isn’t just getting measly minutes, though. He’s becoming an impact player for the Steelers. He hauled in a highlight-reel worthy catch last weekend against the Denver Broncos, running 84 yards for his first touchdown as a Steeler.

He’s clicking with Roethlisberger. In three games, Claypool only six receptions for 151 yards. That doesn’t seem like a staggering number, but it’s good for a rookie wide receiver who is getting minutes. That 84-yard haul was highlight reel worthy.

Now, he might get more chances at the ball.

The Benefit of Chase Claypool

Claypool is a tall, young wide receiver. He reminds many, including myself, of Martavis Bryant, due to his stature. Thankfully, it seems like Claypool has a good head on his shoulders and won’t be having off-field issues like Bryant.

Either way, his one touchdown in the last three games is a positive sign. Roethlisberger isn’t just solely relying on Johnson or Smith-Schuster to carry the load. He sees Claypool as a genuine threat in the red zone and on long drives.

Pittsburgh has always found a way to find good wide receivers. Despite leaving Pittsburgh with plenty of bad karma, there’s no denying that Antonio Brown was a stud. He was one of the best wide receivers in the National Football League for three, four years.

Brown, by the way, was a sixth-round draft pick by the Steelers.

The case for Claypool is obviously different from Brown in many ways. Brown and Claypool, although they are both wide receivers, are two very different players with very different statures. The Canadian has a resemblance to Smith-Schuster, as both receivers were taken in their respective NFL Draft second rounds.

Claypool has seemingly taken all the pressure of Smith-Schuster. When opposing defenses see Smith-Schuster, the idea is to cover him. He’s the Steelers first-choice wide receiver right now. However, when Clayp0ol trots on the field, defenses need to adjust, seeing a large target with a physique almost similar to Smith-Schuster.

Now, with Johnson in concussion protocol, the two dynamic, tall receivers could see more action together on the field.

Claypool earns his praise — and has patience

Claypool is earning praise from many around Pittsburgh, inside and outside of the Steelers organization. And, the young receiver has a boatload of confidence in himself, too.

After facing off with the Broncos, Claypool said he’s fine with gradually entering the lineup.

“I think the coaches are doing a really good job of easing me into the games,” Claypool said. “They haven’t thrown me into the fire and haven’t asked to much. To make a play here or there is something that I can do. AS the season progresses, I just plan on playing more and more and contributing to that even more.”

Claypool is young and knows that there are guys ahead of him. However, with a question mark to Johnson, his gradual adjustment to the professional game might be sped up this weekend. The Steelers are slated to take on the Tennessee Titans. However, now, there is a chance the game could get moved, with the Titans having eight total positive COVID-19 tests, with three players testing positive.

If the Steelers do play on Sunday — they travel down to Tennessee for the tilt — then Claypool could very well be in the starting offense. However, if the Steelers and Titans are forced to move their contest, then it’s another week for Johnson to recover.

Either way, it seems like Claypool is ready, and has shown that with his awareness, runs and overall playmaking in the last three games.

The post With Diontae Johnson potentially out, it could be time to shine for Chase Claypool appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Castle.



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