Buccaneers: WR Chase Claypool would be a late-round gem
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will likely be looking to take a wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft and a Notre Dame product could be the answer.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have some intriguing decisions to make over the 2020 offseason and one of those will have to do with the potential extension of WR Breshad Perriman.
Perriman had an extremely successful season that will likely earn him a significant raise in contract value during this offseason and many have suggested that the Buccaneers will part ways with him in favor of a cheaper option. Afterall, Tampa Bay already has two talented WRs in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans to provide a 1-2 receiving punch offensively.
If that proves to be the case, the Buccaneers will likely take a wide receiver in the mid-to-late rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft as a way to get a third receiving option at a much cheaper price.
A potential answer? WR Chase Claypool.
Claypool, a 6-foot-4, 229-pound WR prospect from Notre Dame, is currently projected as a Round 5-7 type player with tons of upside.
Claypool is big enough to be a physical option and has the body needed to fill Perriman’s shoes as that third receiving option. Scouts are wary of his speed because of his big size, but when you watch his film, you can see the route-running ability and what value he would bring to the offensive attack.
Some believe Claypool could project as a tight end at the next level- and that could come true- but the crispness of his game points signs towards him becoming a successful wide receiver with the right help around him.
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Claypool wouldn’t be asked to come in and exploit elite-level NFL cornerbacks. Instead, he would be in match-ups with the second-option CB or even with safeties and linebackers. There’s no reason to believe he couldn’t get open and use that versatility- whether it be route-running against S/LBs or physicality against smaller CBs- to be successful.