(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Yesterday, Pro Football Writers of America announced both outside linebacker T.J. Watt and free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to their 2020 All-NFL and All-AFC teams. Today, PFWA named wide receiver Chase Claypool to their All-Rookie team.
Claypool finished the regular season with 62 receptions for 873 yards (14.1 average) and nine touchdowns. He also had two rushing touchdowns as well. Claypool tied Franco Harris (1972) and Louis Lipps (1984) for the most touchdowns in franchise history during a rookie season with 11. Claypool's 62 receptions on the season were also the most ever for a Steelers rookie and his nine receiving touchdowns this year were the most among all rookies.
In Week 5 against the Eagles, Claypool scored four touchdowns in the Steelers' 38-29 win over Philadelphia at Heinz Field and was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Claypool had seven receptions for 110 yards and three touchdowns, along with a 2-yard run on a jet sweep for a score against the Eagles.
Claypool became the first rookie in team history to score four touchdowns in a game since Roy Jefferson caught four touchdown passes against Atlanta on Nov. 3, 1968, while also becoming only the third player in team history to score 24 points in a game. Claypool was the third player in franchise history to score four touchdowns in a game.
Claypool also became the first Steelers rookie with a receiving and rushing touchdown in the same game since Franco Harris did it at Buffalo in 1972.
Claypool was named the Steelers' Rookie of the Year for his remarkable season. Claypool also had five receptions for 59 yards and two touchdowns in the Steelers' 48-37 loss to the Browns in the wild-card game.
Justin Jefferson of the Vikings was the other wide receiver named to the All-Rookie team by PFWA. Jefferson was the No. 22 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and the fifth receiver selected. Claypool was the 11th wide receiver taken in the 2020 NFL Draft.
For the 11th receiver selected in this past year's draft, Claypool went above and beyond expectations.