Chase Claypool could be on the move. If the Pittsburgh Steelers opt to trade him, these four teams could be possible landing spots.
Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Chase Claypool is going to be one of the hotter trade commodities in advance of the 2022 NFL Trade Deadline on November 1st.
His most recent performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had to pique teams interest, as he gained over 13 yards per reception and caught all seven balls thrown his way, scoring a touchdown en route to a win as well.
Some of his per-reception and per-game numbers are down this year, but that’s largely attributed to the quarterback situation — Mitchell Trubisky doing the whole Trubisky thing and rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett getting adjusted — more than Claypool playing poorly.
A big deterrent might be the price. Here’s what Bill Huber suggested about what the Steelers might be looking for:
“The draft cost would be huge, though. According to a league executive who makes trades for his team, the cost could be about on par with the McCaffrey trade, with “multiple” second-round picks, a third and a fifth. Not that Aaron Rodgers cares about future draft picks.”
It makes sense. Claypool would be traded by the Steelers because the timelines don’t match with Pittsburgh clearly in young talent acquisition mode. Claypool matches better with a win-now team or a team with lots of young stars already budding. Pittsburgh wants draft picks to move a player like Claypool.
Plenty of teams could use his services, but these four teams figure to be the best destinations.
Chase Claypool trade destinations: Los Angeles Rams
The Rams throw the ball a lot — sixth-most receptions in the NFL — but are not efficient, coming in with the third-worst yards per reception. Other teams that throw a lot competing for a title are not only voluminous with their throws, but also efficient.
Consider the Bills (fifth-most in receptions, sixth-best in yards per reception) and Chiefs (10th-most in receptions, 12th- most in yards per reception).
If you’re going to throw that much, you have to at least be middle of the road in efficiency with those throws to compete.
Claypool would be a good addition to Matthew Stafford’s receiving options alongside Tyler Higbee, Allen Robinson, oh, and of course, Cooper Kupp.
The Rams benefited hugely from signing Odell Beckham Jr. midseason last year. Maybe another mid-season acquisition can help them this year. Of course, OBJ is still available, too…