Seahawks Host Veteran WR Chase Claypool For Free Agent Visit

Once a promising young star for the Steelers, Chase Claypool hasn't received much interest in free agency, but the Seattle Seahawks decided to take a look heading towards the upcoming draft.

Dec 17, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) runs / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

While receiver may not seem like a need for the Seattle Seahawks, that isn't keeping general manager John Schneider from kicking the tires on another former second-round pick.

Less than two weeks after signing former Panthers receiver Laviska Shenault, per Howard Balzer of CardsWire, the Seahawks brought ex-Dolphins wideout Chase Claypool in for a free agent visit on Tuesday. At this time, no signing appears to be imminent.

Once a highly touted prospect coming out of Notre Dame, Claypool landed with the Steelers as a second-round pick in 2020 and enjoyed a strong rookie season, catching 62 passes for 873 yards and nine touchdowns. Aside from a major dip in touchdowns, he nearly reached those numbers again in 2021 with 59 catches for 860 yards, but he also posted a lackluster 56 percent catch rate for the second straight season while dropping five passes.

After playing in eight games in 2022, Pittsburgh dealt Claypool to Chicago in exchange for a future second-round pick, giving the talented, but inconsistent young receiver a fresh start. Things didn't work out in the Windy City, however, as he caught just 18 passes in 10 games with the team and also got called out by teammates for poor effort, leading to him being dealt again midway through the 2023 season to Miami.

Chase Claypool only played sparingly on offense for the Dolphins and has garnered minimal interest in free agency. / Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Stuck at the bottom of a crowded depth chart headlined by superstars Tyreke Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Claypool played only 51 offensive snaps in nine games with the Dolphins, catching four passes for 26 yards in limited action.

Now viewed as a bust despite a stellar rookie season four years ago, Claypool still has youth on his side, as he will only turn 26 years old in July. He also has an intriguing array of physical traits, as the 6-4, 238-pound receiver ran a 4.42 40-yard dash and posted a 40.5-inch vertical jump at the 2020 NFL combine, which would make him an intriguing low cost addition to potentially spell DK Metcalf as a similarly built freak athlete on the outside.

With that said, the Seahawks already have a loaded stable of receivers and with Shenault entering the mix alongside Jake Bobo, Dee Eskridge, and Dareke Young behind Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Claypool would have a difficult time getting many reps if he signs. Since he hasn't returned any kicks or punts in his career either, that would further work against him trying to make the roster this summer.

Given the negative press he generated with the Steelers and Bears and questions about his locker room fit, while Claypool does have a decent amount of special teams experience covering kicks and punts, it may be best to pass on this reclamation project for now.