Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Chase Claypool has been the topic of conversation for the past week after some comments he made on the “I Am Athlete” podcast with Brandon Marshall, Adam "Pacman" Jones, and LeSean "Shady" McCoy. The Steelers young WR believes he is one o the best in the NFL.
Claypool stated exactly:
"I’m going to be better this year. I know for a fact, I’m not like the rest of the guys in the NFL. I’m a top-five receiver. I know I’m a top-three receiver."
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 21: Chase Claypool #11 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at SoFi Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Former Steelers CB Ike Taylor went on Bleav.com’s podcast and the topic of Claypool's comments was brought up by host, Mark Bergin:
"Claypool is claiming that he is a top three receiver in the NFL, or that he's capable of being a top three receiver in the NFL. I'm going to zag here. I like that he's not lacking in confidence. This was the same guy who tied a Steelers rookie record with 11 total touchdowns in 2020. And his numbers were very similar in year two as they were in year one. The difference being is he didn't score as frequently."
Taylor goes on to say:
"It's not the talent that he don't have, it's the maturity level for Chase. So what Chase has to do going into year three is understanding now, he won't have mishaps like he had in the Minnesota game. But not only that, the maturity level, it's the accountability. 'You know what, I was wrong on acting like that in the last couple of seconds.'"
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool had no awareness whatsoever that the clock was ticking. Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Taylor referring to late in the Minnesota Vikings game last season, when Claypool was trying to celebrate a first down (that the Steelers didn't get) instead of placing the ball down for the refs to spot it with just seconds left on the clock.
Some would say that the receiver is out of his mind for thinking that he's a top wideout in the league.
Taylor goes on to say about Claypool's talent:
"Now, when it comes down to the talent and having a high ceiling, that's Chase all day. I personally do believe Chase Claypool is a top three, when it comes down to talent in the NFL, I think his measurables are unbelievable."
But when compared to other receivers in the NFL, the wideout's maturity level just isn't there yet, according to Taylor:
"But for me, it's just the maturity part. When you look at, Diontae Johnson and he's much more mature. He's going into the same situation as Chase. When you look at Justin Jefferson, he's way more mature than Chase at this point in time. When you look at Ja'Marr Chase coming in as a rookie, their maturity level. So that's what you look at, when you look at it from a GM perspective or when you're looking at it from a coaching perspective."
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (11) scores his forth touchdown of the game with Philadelphia Eagles free safety Rodney McLeod (23) defending, on a 35-yard pass play from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Don Wright)AP
I don't mind the confidence, but I'm with Taylor. Claypool has to figure out this maturity issue. It's the only thing standing in his way of being a dominant wide receiver in this league for many years to come!
Check out the full clip below!
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