Canadian Claypool ready to catch on in the NFL
Speedster hopes versatility will boost stock in draft loaded with talented wide receivers
No, Chase Claypool is not planning to switch positions in the NFL, from wide receiver to tight end.
That speculation caught fire here on Monday, when the Abbotsford, B.C., native reportedly weighed in at 238 pounds, after being listed at 229 at the University of Notre Dame, then tipping the scales in January at the Senior Bowl at exactly the same weight.
Surely, the extra nine pounds in so short a time frame must mean the six-foot-four Claypool is packing on beef to become a pro tight end, or so Twitter’s buzz mill concluded.
Actually, no.
He said he merely weighed in on an empty stomach at the Senior Bowl, and got “super-hydrated” Monday for both his long flight here from California and the busy week ahead.
“I’m kind of back down to my natural weight, which is closer to 230,” Claypool told reporters here Tuesday morning at the NFL scouting combine.
But, hey, if the team that drafts him in April wants to line him up sometimes at tight end? Claypool would be all for it.
He was asked about the prospect over and over by reporters who came and went during his 15-minute turn at one of eight podiums in the designated interview hall inside the massive Indiana Convention Center.
“No team directly has said, ‘We want you to do this,’” Claypool said of playing tight end. “All the teams that I have sat down with have talked to me about special teams or receiver. I really haven’t put a lot of thought into that because I’ve been a receiver this whole time. But it’s something that I think could add versatility to my game. … All buzz is good buzz. I had to smile at some of the things that were said. But I don’t think it was a bad thing that people see me doing different things at the next level. I take it as a compliment.”
In what might prove the deepest draft class ever for wide receivers — Oakland Raiders GM Mike Mayock on Tuesday said 25 might be worthy of a first-, second- or third-round grade — Claypool is seen as either a Round 3 or 4 pick.
Claypool’s versatility indeed reflects well on him.
“I’ve proved I can be versatile in terms of inside, outside, No. 3 receiver, tight end,” he said.
“So I think I can be one of those rare guys who can line up at all positions on the field and do well, especially because I did that in my college career.”
The knock on Claypool is that probably because of his huge body (generally speaking for a wide receiver) he lacks after-the-catch burst and elusiveness, and his route running needs work.
Claypool got on the field as a freshman at Notre Dame by playing special teams. He has even played gunner on punt coverage, which requires high compete and feistiness levels.
That’s a great thing to have on a resume for any NFL wideout, running back, linebacker or defensive back — because unless you’re a superstar starter, you’re probably not making any team unless you can contribute ably on numerous special teams.
“That’s something I’m going to want to do at the next level, all four (special-teams) units if I can. Any value that I can add I’m going to do it,” Claypool said.
Those who say he lacks topend speed for a wideout might be in for a surprise after Thursday evening, when quarterbacks and receivers work out on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium. (NFL Network is airing those sessions live.)
Claypool said he is hoping to run the 40-yard dash in under
4.5 seconds, which, for his size, would indeed be blazing fast.
“Because of my weight they assume maybe it’s bad weight. I think I have a good opportunity to prove that it’s not, with the
40. I think after this week people will just understand that I have a special combination of size and speed.
“My goal is always to run sub-4.5, so we’ll just have to run it and find out. I think I’m on a good track to do that . ... I’ve made dinner bets on it. So I think I’ll be getting some free dinners these next couple of weeks here.”
Claypool played his high school ball at Abbotsford Senior Secondary School. He said Tuesday his goals expanded dramatically when late in his high school career he posted his highlights on Facebook. Eventually that got him notices south of the border, and led him to accepting a scholarship offer from Notre Dame.
Claypool led the Fighting Irish in 2019 with 66 receptions for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns, and his 150 career catches rank him seventh in Notre Dame history.
He was asked Tuesday about the buzz he made during his weeklong stint at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
“I don’t think it’s something that I did anything different,” he said. “I think it’s just people see me actually being able to do things against the top talent. I knew that I could do those things; I just had to show that I could do it.
“And the more I come out to these events that are televised and have scouts, the more people will realize that maybe I shouldn’t have been as slept on as I am.”