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Wide receiver, safety, cornerback, and both interior and edge defensive linemen are the biggest needs for the Philadelphia Eagles heading into the 2020 draft. It’s almost a certainty they select a wide receiver round one and most likely another one or two later on. In rounds two and three I think they should look to add either another receiver, a safety or look to add a young piece to their defensive line as Brandon Graham is nearing a decline and/or look to upgrade from Javon Hargrove.
Chase Claypool was an interesting name that had been mentioned to me in regards to should the Eagles look to select him in the upcoming draft. Chase Claypool is a 6’4, 238 pound wide receiver from Notre Dame who put everyone on noticed this past combine when he ran a 4.42 40 yard dash, recording an impressive 40.5 vertical and a 10 foot 6 inch broad jump. Claypool had a breakout year in 2019 as he hauled in 66 receptions for 1,037 yards, averaged 15.7 yards per catch and caught 13 TD’s. Claypool’s impressive 2019 season had scouts take notice but many view him as a TE at the next level because of his size, but after he ran a 4.42 forty yards dash he made a case for him to be able to be view as a receiver at the next level.
Chase Claypool is a fantastic athlete for his size, which is why he has scouts raving about his ability, and that blazing forty yard dash only added to that. Along with his excellent athletic ability and a great catch radius to be able to make contested catches he also possesses good/strong hands that add to his ability to make contested catches which really makes him a great red zone target to have. Now why would scouts that have 6’4 receiver who runs a 4.42 forty yard dash and has a huge catch radius want to put him inside to block for running backs? The answer to this is because of his average short area quickness and ability to create consistent separation. Claypool is a phenomenal athlete but his natural quickness is limited because of his size and a lot of scouts and coaches view him as a tight end at the next level, along with myself.
I think Claypool best translates as a tight end at the next level, but I think he should be used as a matchup nightmare on passing downs rather than an in-line blocker going up against 285 pound defensive ends. I think with Claypool’s elite physical abilities and great speed in space him could really create mismatches for a defense and be very effective. The question is should the Eagles draft him? The answer is no. With already two matchup nightmares in Ertz and Goedert on the team there’s simply no need for a third tight end, with Claypool likely to be selected in the second or third round I think the Eagles are better served to focus on their secondary needs such as corner, safety and defensive line to really round out their roster. I think Claypool has a bright future ahead of him and will definitely be a matchup nightmare for the team who drafts him but the Eagles simply have more pressing needs they need to address come draft time.
Philadelphia Sports Chronicle 