Miami Dolphins common supervisor Chris Grier always searches for tactics to enhance the roster. With River Cracraft and Erik Ezukanma sidelined with accidents, the Dolphins traded a 2025 sixth-round draft choose for extensive receiver Chase Claypool and a 2025 seventh-round choose.
Claypool, a second-round draft choose by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020, has one 12 months left on his rookie deal. The commerce got here after voicing displeasure for seeing restricted motion with the Chicago Bears. With simply 4 receptions on 14 targets, Miami is a recent begin for Claypool as he goals for a long-term contract this offseason.
“I used to be excited for the brand new alternative and excited to work with Coach [Mike] McDaniel and Tua [Tagovailoa] and play alongside [Jaylen] Waddle and Tyreek [Hill] and a bunch of excellent receivers,” Claypool stated whereas assembly with the media on Wednesday. “I knew Durham [Smythe] and Liam [Eichenberg]. I went to highschool with them at Notre Dame.
“So I’m excited to have some acquainted faces, particularly on the offensive aspect of the ball.”
Talking of offense, Claypool joins a unit that leads the league in passing yards, speeding yards, and factors per recreation.
“There’s a whole lot of movement, shifts, two motions, earlier than the ball is snapped,” Claypool stated when requested concerning the complexity of Miami’s offense. “I’ve been doing a whole lot of learning, and I don’t suppose it’ll be too lengthy.
“It’s a complicated playbook, however I really feel fairly good, particularly this primary day of apply.”
Claypool, at 6’4”, is immediately Miami’s tallest extensive receiver, one inch taller than 6’3” Robbie Chosen. On high of that, ‘Mapletron’ clocks in at 238 lbs — 41 kilos heavier than the subsequent receiver, Cedrick Wilson Jr.
“It’s actually enjoyable for me, and simply making an attempt to shine that on daily basis and change into a greater blocker,” Claypool stated of his dimension. “Particularly within the inside and going in opposition to greater guys like D-ends or linebackers and stuff, making an attempt to benefit from these alternatives as properly.”
The Dolphins are 4-1 early within the season, and Mike McDaniel’s offense has defensive coordinators struggling to sleep at evening. Miami didn’t essentially want a large receiver, however Claypool’s dimension and energy are one other weapon in McDaniel’s scheme.
“Simply being a bit within the huge puzzle to a whole lot of transferring items and making an attempt to make this offense higher than it’s,” Claypool stated of becoming a member of the Dolphins. “Something I can do to that’s an superior alternative for me, and I’m actually enthusiastic about that and excited to be part of it.
“[I will] be sure that I do my job the suitable method, full pace. I do know they’ll put me in positions to assist the offense.”
