I haven't anything to link as I saw this on Sports Center a few minutes ago.
I have no doubt Chase could be drafted in the 1st round (even Scott Van Pelt called Chase a "beast") but I am skeptical it will happen due to how deep the wide receivers are in this draft class.
I am also somewhat concerned about what will happen to St. Brown considering they're talking about Green Bay drafting a WR in the first round after signing FA WR Devin Funchess recently.
If the Packers take a wr in the first round, it won't be a "big" one because what they need is a slot type which isn't what Claypool is. They desperately need a speed guy who can flash in quick plays. Fact is the Packers are full of big receivers and don't need another one particularly after signing Fuchess. They view St. Brown as a possible diamond in the rough who was just starting to emerge when he got hurt. They had thee other bigs in 2019, Allison who is gone, Lazard who is at best a 4 or 5 and Valdes-Scantling who disappeared last year. They also have a big guy they like in Jake Kumerow. Unless they seen things in Claypool that is a vast improvement over the guys they have, he isn't going to be their pick in the 1st round.
I think WR only becomes their choice in the first round if the 1 or 2 guys they want is there. That group likely includes mix of Raegor, Aiyuk or possible Mims. There are at least 6 WRs rated ahead of Claypool including Lamb, Jeudy, Ruggs, Higgins, Jefferson or Shenault (despite his injury) all of whom will be picked ahead of Claypool. Keep in mind that going into the combine, Claypool was viewed as a possible TE. While his combine may have shifted that back to WR, the fact that Claypool can't work out for anyone is probably hurting his chances of moving into the 1st round since he can't build upon his buzz after the combine. Folks are still comparing him to Boykin, also rumored to be a 1st round guy after the combine but ended up being taken late in the 3rd round.
Since I can't see Kiper's overall draft, who the Pack picks will be dependent on how the draft evolves and what position has runs on. If there is a run on wrs such that Claypool is the best available to the Packers, chances are that a LB or OT they like will fall to them. Their 1st choice would be one an ILB, one of either Murray, Queen or Baum if they are available. Their likely 2nd choice would be a OT.
Remember how high he had Clausen and Kizer?
I think Claypool ends up in the 2nd round and my dream scenario for the Eagles is still for them to trade down, get more picks and end up with Claypool and Hamler by the end of the 2nd round.
scary good and fast.
Chase looked more like Boykin, a 2nd day pick, which is really good.
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30 catch seasons and a glorious play or two. He can jump, loves catching the ball in a crowd with hands only but his weakness is on the easy passes. Maybe that will improve.
and for that matter, Boykin? Back to back studs... NFL caliber talent.
Same on the O-line ... tight end... D line... running backs.
The talent is there
Claypool is not a first round NFL pick. He is a solid round 3. Remember how Derek Brown became a disappointment in his pro career after people thought he would be all world tight end in the pros? Who was his coach? He had the same issues, he could not catch the easy pass cleanly. And in his case he did not make many big plays. I guess it was Holtz that made him drop that pass right in his hands against Stanford in 1990.
although my lack of knowledge is well documented :-)
Cheers!
He's athletic, but receiving skillset needs work