Steelers Get First Pick in 2nd Round of 2023 NFL Draft

The Chicago Bears have locked up the first overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, meaning that the second-round pick they sent to the Pittsburgh Steelers for Chase Claypool will be the 32nd of the process. The choice has the same value as a late first-rounder would any other year, due to Miami forfeiting its first-round pick during an investigation into whether the team violated league policies.

The Green Bay Packers also made an offer for the third-year pass-catcher, but the Steelers opted to ship him to the Windy City instead, believing that the Bears’ capital would be more valuable. With a late-season surge that gives them a chance to reach the playoffs, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers have proven that choice to be the correct one.

Claypool played in seven games for Chicago this go-round, pulling in 14 receptions for 140 yards. His next touchdown with the Bears will be his first. He didn’t particularly flash the potential the team would have hoped when it made the swap, hoping to find a primary target for young signal-caller Justin Fields.

Meanwhile, Steelers rookie wideout George Pickens made an impact with the increased time he saw after Claypool’s departure, catching two touchdown passes in the team’s final three matchups.