The Seahawks have a clear-cut top three at wide receiver, adding Jaxon Smith-Njigba to join the long-running Tyler Lockett–D.K. Metcalf pair last year. They also recently picked up Laviska Shenault. Another big-bodied wideout is on the team’s radar.
Chase Claypool trekked to Seattle for a free agency visit, according to Cardinals Wire’s Howard Balzer. This marks the first Claypool connection to a team in 2024. The former Steelers second-rounder is coming off an unremarkable Dolphins stay.
Traded in consecutive seasons, Claypool managed just eight receptions last year. Despite suiting up for nine Dolphins games following the early-season trade, Claypool caught only four passes as a Dolphin. The 238-pound receiver has seen his stock crater after the Steelers dealt him to the Bears at the 2022 deadline.
Not too long ago, Claypool had made his way into Pittsburgh’s starting lineup and looked like another promising Steelers WR draftee. As a rookie, the Notre Dame product totaled 62 catches for 873 yards and nine touchdowns. He was not far off those marks in 2021, accumulating 860 yards and two scores on nine receptions. The Steelers received two second-round offers at the ’22 deadline, opting to go with the Bears’ proposal over the Packers’ due to predicted pick value. That in-season NFC North assessment proved correct, with the 2023 No. 32 pick (Joey Porter Jr.) coming the AFC North team’s way for Claypool, who has trudged through two poor seasons since a strong start.
Claypool became quite unpopular with the Bears, disappointing in his first season and becoming a distraction in Year 2. This prompted Chicago to cut its losses and ship the 6-foot-4 target to Miami in a pick-swap deal involving Day 3 2025 choices. Claypool did not move the needle as an auxiliary Dolphins option, and Miami is looking for an upgrade behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Seattle has Lockett and Metcalf signed beyond 2024, though each was obviously acquired before OC Ryan Grubb arrived. The team, which has Smith-Njigba signed through 2026, also still rosters 2021 second-rounder Dee Eskridge. UDFA Jake Bobo, however, overtook the MAC product as Seattle’s WR4 last season. Shenault may have something to say about that in 2024, though the ex-Panthers and Jaguars target was acquired primarily to return kicks.
Everyone is visiting the seahawks
I’m visiting on Thursday.
Sure is beautiful
Sign him for a bag of peanuts and a slice of apple pie.
Since Claypool was a steeler he has a 35% catch ratio at 9.8 yards per reception. At that yardage catch ratio should be 75% plus. What are Seattle thinking of? Even the Steeler numbers are awful. 52% on 14 yards/reception.
The only promise here is of dropped balls and lost first downs.
Next playbook he’ll need to study will be in Canadian. Not sure his skillset, big slow 238lbs WR, will play up there either. Wasn’t that long ago this guy was diva queen n now he’ll be lucky to stay in league.
Claypool is Canadian so it wouldn’t be surprising if he plays in the CFL in a few years instead of bouncing around as a fifth WR and/or practice squad guy stashed as depth.
Claypool, the tight end who can’t block masquerading as a WR…
I wonder if this positively or negatively affects his brand… because that is all he’s ever been concerned with.
The JuJu WR tree continues to flourish
Did the Seahawks visit him back?