Steelers' Chase Claypool: 'I'm a top-three receiver'

Wide receiver Chase Claypool initially entered the NFL when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the second round of the 2020 draft. Per Pro-Football-Reference, Claypool was named to the All-Rookie Team for his work during his debut season, but the 23-year-old experienced somewhat of a disappointing sophomore campaign that he ended with 59 receptions for 860 yards and only a pair of touchdowns. 

According to Joe Clark of Steelers Depot, Claypool was recently a guest on the "I Am Athlete" podcast and explained what he expects out of himself heading into his third pro season, which will also be his first without future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger as his full-time quarterback. 

"My second year, I was a better football player than I was my first year," Claypool remarked. "The plays just didn't work out. Some of the plays didn't go my way. I didn't make some plays. As a football player, knowing what to do, knowing where to be, I was better. So I'm gonna be better this year. I know for a fact, I'm not like the rest of the guys in the NFL. I know I'm a top-five receiver. I know I'm a top-three receiver." 

As noted by ESPN stats, Diontae Johnson led the Steelers last season with 107 catches, 169 targets, 1,161 receiving yards and eight touchdown grabs. While Claypool's confidence is commendable, he has a ways to go before he's the top receiver on his team, let alone one of the best options at the position in the entire NFL.