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Chase Claypool 2023 NFL Player Outlook: Little Upside In Chicago’s Run First Offense
1 year agoThe Chicago Bears made a surprise deal at the 2022 Trade Deadline by trading an early second pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for wide receiver Chase Claypool. He wasn't much of a factor in Chicago to end the season. Claypool caught just 14 passes for 140 yards in seven games with the Bears. The former Steeler also failed to play above 50% of the team's snaps in four of seven games, as he struggled to learn the playbook quickly. However, with an entire offseason, the hope is that the 24-year-old wideout will be more involved in the offense this year. The former 2020 second-round pick was a high draft selection out of college, and he totaled 873 yards and nine touchdowns in his rookie season. But that production might be difficult for Claypool to repeat this season. The Bears ran the ball more than any team in the NFL last season (56.2%), and if quarterback Justin Fields airs it out, Claypool will likely be the third or fourth receiving option behind D.J. Moore, Darnell Mooney, and Cole Kmet. The talent is there, though, so he's worth a roster spot in 14-plus team leagues in 2023 and is ranked 189th overall in the latest RotoBaller rankings.
