The Miami Dolphins acquired disgruntled Chicago Bears wide receiver, Chase Claypool, via trade. What does his acquisition mean for the Miami Dolphins?
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What the Miami Dolphins Acquisition of Chase Claypool Means
The already-deep Dolphins receiving corps was not deep enough. Miami acquired Claypool and a seventh-round pick, for a sixth-round pick in 2025. The Dolphins already have Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Cedrick Wilson Jr., and Braxton Berrios as their top four receivers. Recently, River Cracraft was added to the injured reserve list on September 29. Meanwhile, Erik Ezukanma was placed on the reserve/non-injury football list the same day as Cracraft. The team had also recently signed Robbie Chosen to the active roster from the practice squad.
Maintaining Depth
The main reason this trade was made, was likely (if not solely) to replace Cracaft and offer security amidst the ambiguous situation Ezukanma currently finds himself in. It would make sense for the Dolphins to try to keep the injuries that have plagued them each season, low. The move for Claypool may not only have been to bolster depth at a depleting wide receiver position; it may have also been done to keep an important piece of special teams, safe and healthy.
Special Speed
Berrios is an important and speedy part of the Dolphins special teams. While he has seen time at wide receiver this season, the Dolphins may be concerned with overusing him in that capacity. While speedy, Berrios is only 5′-9″ and 190 pounds. That is not exactly the prototypical NFL wide receiver, size-wise. That is not a knock on Berrios. It is, however, important to consider his size and that he is listed first on the Dolphins depth chart as both a kick and punt returner.
Soaring to New Heights
Claypool becomes Tua Tagovailoa’s tallest wide receiver at 6′-4″. With Chosen at 6′-3″ and Wilson at 6′-2″, the Dolphins now have a trio of “go up and get it” wide receivers that can cause havoc for other teams when coupled with the speed of the sub six-foot tall receivers in Hill and Waddle. While the focus is likely to be running the ball, Claypool is a great, big-bodied option to have should the run game falter.
A Fresh Start
Claypool’s best season was his rookie season for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. In that season Claypool had 62 catches for 863 yards and nine receiving touchdowns. He also proved versatile in the run game for the Steelers, scoring two touchdowns that season. A dismal two-ish seasons in Chicago, where he only played ten games, saw Claypool only make 18 catches for 191 yards and a single touchdown. Claypool is looking for a fresh start with the Dolphins. Meanwhile, the Dolphins are hoping Claypool can resurrect his once-promising career.
Takeaway: What Miami Dolphins Acquisition of Chase Claypool Means
The Dolphins’ acquisition of Claypool was likely done for several reasons. First and foremost, the Dolphins likely made the deal to replenish a banged-up and depleted receiving corps. They may have made the move to keep arguably their best special teams asset safe and healthy.
The Dolphins also may have made the move to take a once-promising player who still has a lot of potential and hopes he can become the player he was his rookie season. Regardless of the reason, Dolphins fans wait in anticipation of what Claypool will mean for the success of Miami’s 2023 season.
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