New Yok Jets 2019 NFL Draft Profile: Chase Claypool, Notre Dame
When we think of the New York Jets and the wide receiver position, many can’t remember the last No. 1 receiver, and it’s time for them to draft one in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Fans of the New York Jets lament over their quarterback draft history. When you look at the wider receivers they’ve drafted, especially in the first 100 picks of the AFL or NFL Draft, it’s not one to write home about either.
They’ve taken 18 receivers in the top 100 picks, and only seven have played at least 100 games, and three made a decent to great contribution to the success of the Jets — Santana Moss, Wesley Walker, and Keyshawn Johnson. It gets even worse, though. Eight of the 16 players who the Jets drafted in the top 100 didn’t even play in 50 games. Lam Jones being the biggest bust of them all — selected second overall and playing in 21 games.
Notre Dame wide receiver Chase Claypool is likely a second-day pick, but remember this, 15 of the 27 wide receivers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame were selected in the third round or later (including the supplemental draft).
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One of the Jets priorities this offseason is to get Sam Darnold a No. 1 target. Claypool, however, is a guy that they could target in the 2019 NFL Draft that could fill that need, even if he doesn’t get a great deal of buzz in the pre-draft process.
Claypool is the perfect example as to when overall numbers lie, and you have to watch to see him play. (You’ll get the chance in the Cotton Bowl.) Early on in the season, Notre Dame started Brandon Wimbush, a run-first quarterback with accuracy issues. They won games in spite of his play, and not because of it.
When the Fighting Irish switched quarterbacks and brought Ian Book into the fold, the offense got into a rhythm and the wide receivers — especially Claypool — began to show what they were capable of.
Since Book became the starter, Claypool has only had two games with fewer than four catches and has four touchdowns. Claypoool is a good route runner on all three levels who can create separation and win the battle for the 50/50 balls. He uses his size well to position himself for catches.
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At 6-3, 228 pounds, he is similar to Quincy Enunwa in build. He can get the yards after the catch too. He doesn’t have elite speed, but he’s capable of being a No. 1 receiver in the NFL. If the Jets can get him on Day 2 or even Day 3, depending on how his stock goes, he would be a welcome addition to help Darnold.