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Tag: Chase Claypool

  • Rookie GM Omar Khan Shakes Things Up With Pittsburgh Steelers

    Rookie GM Omar Khan Shakes Things Up With Pittsburgh Steelers

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    Omar Khan showed in his first NFL trade deadline that things will be different with him serving as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ general manager.

    The Steelers made two trades Tuesday. If nothing else, it showed Khan is willing to shake things up on a team off to a 2-6 start and coming off being blown out by the Eagles 35-13 on Sunday in Philadelphia.

    Wide receiver Chase Claypool was dealt to the Chicago Bears for a 2023 second-round draft pick. Cornerback William Jackson was acquired from the Washington Commanders along with a 2025 conditional seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2025 conditional sixth-round pick.

    Kevin Colbert, Khan’s predecessor, was not totally averse to trading. However, he rarely made any significant deals at the deadline and was much more geared to building the roster through the draft during his 21-year tenure as GM that ended in April when he retired.

    Khan was able to at least recoup comparable draft capital for Claypool, who never seemed to quite fit in with the Steelers.

    Claypool was a second-round pick in 2020 from Notre Dame. He was also the Steelers’ first selection that year because Colbert had traded the first-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. It is the only year since 1967 that the Steelers haven’t had a first-rounder.

    This season, Claypool had 32 receptions in eight games. He was tied for second on the team in that category.

    However, Claypool also had just 311 yards for an average of 9.7 yards a reception. The Steelers anticipated him being more of a deep threat when they drafted him and he had averages of 14.1 and 14.6 in his first two seasons.

    While Claypool’s YPC dropped this season – and perhaps part of that can be pinned on offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s play calling — rookie George Pickens began getting more snaps. The second-round choice from Georgia has 26 receptions for 338 and one TD.

    Pickens’ role as the primary deep threat figures to continue to grow behind WR1 Diontae Johnson.

    Meanwhile, the Steelers will pay the remainder of Jackson’s $2.75-million salary this season in the second year of the three-year, $40.5-million contract he signed with the Commanders as a free agent. The 30-year-old has a $12.75-million cap hit next season and it’s hard to imagine the Steelers bringing him back in 2023 without a reworked contract.

    The acquisition of Jackson is a bit of a headscratcher on the surface as he was benched by the Commanders after four games this season and was reportedly on the verge of being released. Pro Football Focus’ season grade for him is just 49.6, which puts him 94th among the 110 cornerbacks ranked.

    However, the grade is better than that of two other Steelers’ corners. Levi Wallace is rated 98th with a grade of 48.2 and Ahkello Witherspoon’s 45.4 grade ranks 101st.

    The Steelers are also next to last in the NFL in the pass defense, allowing 277.3 yards a game. Only the Atlanta Falcons’ 306.9 mark is worse.

    Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has also long been a fan of Jackson’s.

    The Steelers reportedly planned to take Jackson in the first round of the 2016 draft with the 25th pick following his collegiate career at Houston. However, the Cincinnati Bengals selected him at 24 and the Steelers pivoted to Miami cornerback Artie Burns.

    Burns made a minimal impact in his four seasons with the Steelers and started just seven games combined in his last two years.

    Khan is obviously hoping for a bigger impact from Jackson. Whether the seven-year veteran can give the Steelers what they desire remains to be seen.

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    John Perrotto, Senior Contributor

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  • Pittsburgh Steelers Should Be In Seller Mode At Trade Deadline Following Loss To Miami Dolphins

    Pittsburgh Steelers Should Be In Seller Mode At Trade Deadline Following Loss To Miami Dolphins

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    The Pittsburgh Steelers had some of us fooled for a period of time.

    Following the Steelers’ 20-18 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6, there were some that actually believed Pittsburgh could threaten for a playoff spot. After all, at a 2-4 record, they were just one game out of the lead for the AFC North division. They had even defeated the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1.

    That’s not even mentioning T.J. Watt’s impending return from injury, which is likely to happen in the coming weeks.

    However, following their 16-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins, it’s very clear that this is a rebuilding squad led by a rookie quarterback going through some extreme growing pains.

    The Steelers had their chances and actually almost pulled off the comeback against the Dolphins. However, rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett threw his second interception with the team in scoring position during the final five minutes of the game to seal the game.

    “We didn’t give our offense a short field by producing a turnover or two, and they did, head coach Mike Tomlin said after the game. “So we go back to work. Disappointing, but we got another big game coming up and we’ll get focused. We will assess this, learn from it, and put together a plan and ready ourselves for the next one.”

    But that wasn’t the reason for the loss. That’s Tomlin’s way of easing the pressure on an offensive unit surrounded by young talent.

    The offense remains as stagnant as ever, Pickett seems to have a little bit of a knack for picks early on in his career and the defense is too inconsistent to be relied upon to carry the team.

    “I thought he was highly competitive, played to win,” Tomlin said of Pickett. “He made some plays. Unfortunately he and we didn’t make enough.”

    That’s because Pittsburgh is a rebuilding squad. Which means one thing — the Steelers should be sellers at the trade deadline.

    Pittsburgh has one more game before the deadline which will come against the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8. Barring a miraculous upset, it’s safe to assume they’ll lose that game and drop to a record of 2-6.

    As Pittsburgh continues to go through growing pains during its first rebuilding season in nearly 20 years, the Steelers should move forward with offloading veterans. The most appealing of their assets heading into the deadline — Chase Claypool — is the perfect candidate to be moved.

    The 24-year-old is having a slow start to the season, but a lot of that can be attributed to the offense itself and the fact that Pittsburgh is starting a rookie quarterback. While his stat line versus the Dolphins wasn’t too impressive — five catches for 41 yards — he was coming off of a seven-reception, 96-yard performance that saw him catch the game-winning touchdown.

    Prior to the Steelers’ game in Miami, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Claypool is generating a lot of interest heading into the trade deadline on Nov. 1. However, Rapoport reports that Pittsburgh is not likely to deal their young receiver.

    “Steelers WR Chase Claypool has been in focus, but is not expected to be dealt, barring a shift,” said Rapoport.

    The entirety of the Steelers’ young core — Pickett, Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth are under contract through the 2024 season. Claypool is the only one out of that core whose deal expires after the 2023 season. That’s not even mentioning the fact that the Steelers used a fourth-round draft pick on Calvin Austin, meaning he should figure into Pittsburgh’s plans at some point, if not this season.

    In other words, after signing Johnson to a two-year, $36.7 million contract extension prior to the start of the season, they’ll also have to sign Claypool to a new deal. Despite Johnson’s role as Pittsburgh’s No. 1 receiver and Pickens’ emergence — he caught six passes for 61 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the Dolphins — the Steelers are still reluctant to trade Claypool.

    As noted by Mark Madden of Tribune Live, the Steelers would expect a package similar to what the Carolina Panthers received for two-time Pro Bowl running back Christian McCaffrey in their recent trade with the San Francisco 49ers. For perspective, the 49ers gave up second, third, fourth and fifth-round picks to the Panthers for McCaffrey.

    Simply put, that’s not happening for Claypool.

    The Steelers’ reluctance to trade their third-year receiver is understandable. They have a rookie quarterback starting who is having difficulty acclimating to the offense as is. By trading one of his favorite targets, he’ll be forced to rely upon rookie Pickens and the second-year Freiermuth (outside of Johnson).

    But even with Claypool in the lineup, this offense is as stagnant as can be. Prior to their Week 7 matchup versus the Dolphins, the Pittsburgh came in averaging 16.2 points per game, 30th in the league. Following their 10-point output versus Miami — their second-lowest of the season — they’re now averaging just 15.3 points per game on the season, which would only rank ahead of the Denver Broncos.

    Claypool will eventually seek a new deal. OTC currently has his contract valuation at a shade under $10 million per year. But that’s based upon this season’s production, where Claypool’s stats have dipped as a result of the Steelers’ quarterback play. Once the 6-foot-4, 238-pound receiver hits the open market as a 26-year-old in 2024, Claypool will likely seek a deal somewhat comparable to the one Johnson recently received at $18 million per year.

    Considering NFL teams’ thirst for viable receivers, Pittsburgh could fetch a third-round draft pick for Claypool at the deadline.

    The Steelers may have a strong stance on dealing before the deadline. But following their loss to the Dolphins — and likely another one versus the Eagles — Pittsburgh should back off its stance and deal Claypool.

    In fact, they should look at every possible avenue in stocking up draft capital prior to the trade deadline.

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    DJ Siddiqi, Contributor

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  • Three Receivers The Green Bay Packers Should Consider Trading For — Immediately

    Three Receivers The Green Bay Packers Should Consider Trading For — Immediately

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    On Nov. 19, 1996, the Green Bay Packers went to Dallas, couldn’t find the endzone and dropped a 21-6 decision to the defending Super Bowl champion Cowboys.

    Green Bay’s preferred starters at wide receiver — Robert Brooks and Antonio Freeman — were both injured at the time. So the following day, general manager Ron Wolf signed former Pro Bowler Andre Rison off the street.

    Two months later, those Packers won the 31st Super Bowl with Freeman and Rison as their starting receivers.

    Today, the Packers are in a similar pinch.

    Green Bay played without Sammy Watkins (hamstring) and Christian Watson (hamstring) in its 27-10 loss to the New York Jets Sunday. Then during the game, the Packers lost Randall Cobb to an ankle injury that could be serious.

    “Certainly it hurts our offense when he’s not out there,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of Cobb. “I hope he’s all right, but I don’t know.”

    Green Bay’s wide receiver room was already mediocre, at best, when the season began after it traded away Davante Adams. Now, the Packers are razor thin.

    That means it’s time for general manager Brian Gutekunst to trade for a receiver as soon as possible.

    The NFL’s trading deadline is Nov. 1, but Gutekunst should get busy as soon as possible.

    The Packers have lost two straight games, are 3-3 and need as much time as possible to get their struggling offense fixed. The longer a new wideout would have to develop chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the better.

    Here are three wideouts who could make sense for Green Bay — both on the field and financially.

    Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh

    The Steelers are in a mini-rebuild in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era. And Claypool could be had for the right price.

    Claypool had 121 receptions, 1,733 yards and 11 touchdowns his first two years in the league. But his numbers have dropped significantly (23-225-1) with Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky under center this year.

    Pittsburgh extended the contract of wideout Diontae Johnson last summer, then took receivers George Pickens in the second round and Calvin Austin III in the fourth this spring.

    Claypoool, who’s in year three of his four-year rookie deal, has a base salary of just $1.1 million this year. So Green Bay — which is $8.03 million under the cap according to Spotrac — would have plenty of room to add Claypool.

    Jakobi Meyers, New England

    The Patriots have won two straight games, improved to 3-3 and have a soft schedule coming. But if Bill Belichick decides to be a seller at the deadline, Meyers would have value.

    Meyers leads New England in catches (24) and yards (321) despite playing in just four games.

    Meyers signed a one-year, $3.986 million deal with New England this season, but will become a free agent after the year ends. So if the Patriots don’t see him in their long-term plans, they could move him now and get back draft capital.

    Robbie Anderson, Carolina

    The Panthers will be in full rebuild mode this offseason, following the recent firing of coach Matt Rhule. And Anderson is on the outs with the organization after being sent to the locker room Sunday following an argument with his position coach.

    Anderson is a talented player who had 95 catches for nearly 1,100 yards just two seasons ago.

    Anderson’s base salary is just $1.03 million, which makes him attractive to teams.

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    Rob Reischel, Contributor

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