On Friday morning, the Miami Dolphins stepped up to the plate and traded for Chase Claypool, sending a 2025 sixth-round pick in exchange for the wide receiver plus a 2025 seventh-round selection. It was essentially a salary dump for the Bears, shedding whatever’s left of his $2.3 million cap hit for this season just to get a player who’s been deemed a cancer in Chicago off the roster.
The Dolphins traded for a player who could no longer crack what was arguably the worst team in football’s lineup. Ever since Claypool’s playing time shrunk the past two weeks, we’ve seen Justin Fields put forth some of the best performances of his career. Is that a coincidence? We’ll give the young surging QB the benefit of the doubt, but it is noteworthy.
So why did the Dolphins want Claypool? What did Miami see in the player the Bears weren’t even willing to play anymore? Coach Mike McDaniel provided the answer shortly after the trade was announced when asked what led to the sudden trade for Claypool.
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On the surface, the trade feels odd. This is a player whose struggles were well documented, failing to make an impact for one of the worst offenses in the NFL prior to their recent breakout. But there are several reasons why there’s hope for Claypool to help the Dolphins.
As Coach McDaniel noted, Claypool is motivated to show why the Steelers and Bears were wrong to give up on the former second-round pick so quickly. Pittsburgh moved off the now-25-year-old after 39 games, but he lasted just 10 in Chicago despite being traded for the 32nd overall pick in April’s NFL Draft.
However, Claypool has played well in the past, shown by recording 860 or more receiving yards each of his first two seasons in the NFL. What went wrong after that? It’s possible his effort wasn’t always the best, but he was also in two passing offenses that drastically fell short of expectations. Did Claypool play a part in that? Probably. But it’s not like he isn’t talented.
Coach McDaniel alluded to the 6-foot-4 receiver’s speed, which is fair, as he did clock a 4.42 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine. Not bad for a player who also weighs 238 pounds. But there’s another aspect where Claypool can help this Dolphins team, outside of his above-average speed and ideal size as a red zone target.
As mentioned, Claypool is 238 pounds. That’s a massive receiver. Considering how much the Dolphins love to run the ball under Coach McDaniel, Claypool’s size should also play well as a run blocker, helping boost what’s unquestionably the best offense in the NFL.
Yet, like some of the other issues that have plagued him in the past, Claypool will have to put forth better effort when asked to block instead of run routes. But if he’s truly bought into playing for what’s been the most prolific passing offense in the NFL through four weeks, going 100 percent in Miami shouldn’t be an issue for someone with a big chip on his shoulder, looking to prove the haters wrong.
First, he’ll have to endear himself to the new coaching staff, showing why he deserves to be a part of the active roster on gameday, earning snaps in a receiver room that also includes Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and several others vying for chances at being the sidekick to the two speed threats.
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