The Buffalo Bills are being pretty aggressive in the post-draft wave of NFL free agency, adding a number of veterans including a well-known wideout.
On Friday, the Bills announced the signing of three free agent – linebacker Deion Jones, defensive end Dawuane Smoot and wide receiver Chase Claypool. All are receiving one-year deals.
“The Bills announced three free agent signings on Friday, inking WR Chase Claypool, LB Deion Jones and DE Dawuane Smoot to one-year deals,” the team said in a statement.
Claypool is arguably the most notable member of the trio due to his memorable run with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former second-round pick out of Notre Dame had a very promising rookie season, recording 62 receptions for 873 yards and nine touchdowns along with a team-leading 11 total touchdowns in 2020.
But a combination of injuries and poor play led to the Steelers parting ways with him midway through his third year with the team. He finished the 2022 season with the Chicago Bears and finished the 2023 season with the Miami Dolphins.
In four NFL seasons, Claypool has played in 58 games and has 175 receptions for 2,261 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also has 171 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Will this be a low-risk, high-reward signing for the Bills? Or does Claypool have more good years behind him than in front of him?