Once-promising WR could ‘shed his bankruptcy label’ with Bills

Chase Claypool’s path back to NFL relevance runs through Orchard Park.

Just a few years ago, the 25-year-old was considered one of the NFL’s hottest prospects, an intriguing 6-foot-3 target with a 4.42-second 40-yard dash whose blend size, speed and physique suggested a long-term place in the league.

And the Notre Dame product showed early potential, catching 62 passes for 873 yards while scoring 11 total touchdowns for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2020 NFL season after being selected by the team in the second round of the that year’s NFL draft. He was at the top of the world and, apparently, reaching even higher; looking back, the only place to go was downstairs.

Claypool’s scoring regressed during his sophomore campaign despite his increased scrimmage yardage, going from 11 total touchdowns to two. Character and effort issues exacerbated by the emergence of rookie wide receiver George Pickens prompted Pittsburgh to move on from Claypool during the 2022 season, selling him to the Chicago Bears at that year’s trade deadline.

The concerns won’t be silenced in Chicago, with Claypool’s effort and commitment constantly questioned as the Bears’ offense continues to struggle. He caught 18 passes for 191 yards in 10 total games in Chicago before being dealt to Miami in 2023, where he caught just four balls on seven targets.

It’s a rapid decline for a player who, just three years ago, was widely considered a potential star. If his recent production trends continue, his next NFL opportunity could be his last; this sets the stage for a breakthrough summer in Western New York.

Related: All joking aside, the Bills signing Chase Claypool is a low-risk, high-reward move.

Claypool recently signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills, joining a revamped receiving corps now without Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis. Although it’s difficult to crack Buffalo’s 53-man roster, Claypool’s opportunity is advantageous; he will compete with Justin Shorter, Andy Isabella, KJ Hamler, Quintez Cephus and Tyrell Shavers for a spot at the bottom of the team’s depth chart.

The idea of ​​Claypool regaining some of his old prowess with the Bills isn’t egregious given his demonstrated talent and Buffalo’s inexperienced receiving corps. That sentiment is echoed by Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay, who recently identified the Abbotsford, B.C., native as one of six NFL players who could “shed (their) chest” over the course of the 2024 season.

“Despite his regression, there is still plenty of reason to believe Claypool can thrive with the Bills,” Kay wrote. “The Notre Dame product should have plenty of opportunities in Western New York. Buffalo’s receiving corps is in desperate need of veteran contributors after the franchise cut No. 1 pick Stefon Diggs and let point guard Gabe Davis walk onto the open market.

“Josh Allen represents the best quarterback Claypool has ever worked with. The battery now has a full offseason to get up to speed, valuable preparation time the receiver didn’t get in his last two stops after coming up in the midseason trades.

Related: New Diggs: Newly signed Bills WR assigned Stefon Diggs jersey number

While Claypool Finally taking the next step and hanging on to the bills is a fun what-if scenario, a what-if is probably what it will remain. Indeed, it flashed four years ago, but it was Four years ago; we haven’t seen any discernible improvement from the receiver since, and given his previously reported character concerns, it’s a little difficult to imagine him working with Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott.

He’s (more than likely) not going to usurp rookie Keon Coleman, third-year contributor Khalil Shakir or recently signed Curtis Samuel on the depth chart, and offseason addition Mack Hollins is likely a lock on the roster given his abilities on special teams. This leaves Claypool competing with players like Shorter, Isabella, Hamler, Cephus and the aforementioned Shavers for one or two spots; Shorter, Isabella and Shavers have a leg up on the competition due to their familiarity with the system and special teams ability. Hamler, who was selected three picks ahead of Claypool in the 2020 draft, is a potentially more interesting recovery project than his fellow draft class.

Claypool will really need to fulfill his former potential and contribute on special teams in order to remain on the Bills roster. If he fails, his stay in Buffalo might barely be long enough for the Canada native to drink a Tim Hortons coffee.