First Call: Chase Claypool floated as a trade target in Buffalo; Steelers set to face NFL's toughest remaining schedule

Is it possible that Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool is auditioning for another team this weekend?

Some stats are working against the Steelers this Sunday in Buffalo and for the rest of the season. The Baltimore Ravens made a move, and one of the Bills just got an NFL Award.

All that in Thursday’s “First Call.”

Taking a long look?

Chase Claypool has been floated as a potential trade target for this week’s Steelers opponent.

Nate Geary, Bills pregame and halftime show host on 550 WGR in Buffalo, tossed out Claypool’s name as someone the Bills may be interested in to help their depth at wide receiver.

Gabriel Davis is playing with a bothersome ankle. Jamison Crowder just broke an ankle. Isaiah McKenzie is in concussion protocol. Jake Kumerow missed practice Wednesday with an ankle injury of his own. Khalil Shakir is the only wideout not listed on the injury report behind Stefon Diggs and Davis.

Lots of talk about Saquon Barkley or OBJ... I wonder what it would take to pry Chase Claypool from the Steelers after they drop to 1-4 next week. He'd cost less than $1M against the cap this season and just $2M (ish) next season. What would he reasonably cost?

— Nate Geary (@NateGearySports) October 3, 2022

The answer to that question may simply be a late second-day to early third-day pick. The former Notre Dame wide receiver has just 11 catches for 79 yards through four games this season, his third in the NFL. It appears he is just a fourth option in the Steelers passing game behind Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth.

Claypool had been linked to the Chicago Bears as a potential trade chip this offseason when linebacker Roquan Smith was allegedly on the trade block. But he remained in Chicago.

Near as I can tell, there hasn’t been any traction as of yet on the Steelers end to the theory posed in Buffalo.

Interestingly, Buffalo signed rookie receiver Jaquarii Roberson Wednesday. He had just been released from the Steelers practice squad Tuesday.

Tough times ahead

As if getting thrown into being an NFL starting quarterback after one month of your rookie season wasn’t hard enough, Kenny Pickett’s challenge may be even tougher when you look at the Steelers’ remaining schedule.

Pro Football Focus says that the Steelers’ remaining strength of schedule is the toughest in the NFL.

PFF ELO has the Pittsburgh Steelers with the hardest remaining strength of schedule in the NFL

Best of luck, Kenny Pickett

— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) October 4, 2022

Of course, that slog starts this week on the road in Buffalo versus a 3-1 Bills team that is favored to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Pickett and company are a 14-point underdog.

Follow that up with a home game against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Then it’s road dates at Miami and Philadelphia. Those four teams are a combined 12-4.

After the bye, the Steelers still have to play the Ravens twice and the Browns and Bengals once each. And this time the Browns will have Deshaun Watson at quarterback.

Different bird’s nest

From one set of bird wings to another.

Former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella is swooping into the AFC North. NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reports that he’s landing with the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. Isabella was released by the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Since being drafted by the Cardinals in 2019, Isabella totaled 33 receptions, 447 yards and three touchdowns. He played in just 39 games with three starts. He sought a trade from Arizona back in March and was granted the opportunity to seek one.

Isabella’s brother, Joey, is a receiver at Duquesne University.

Get on ‘em early

We know the Steelers have struggled in the fourth quarter of games this year. And if they should somehow build a lead against Buffalo, it won’t be safe against a Bills offense that is third in the NFL in yards per game (412.5) and fifth in points at 28.5 per game.

But even beyond that, the Steelers better be in great shape by halftime. Because the Bills are dominant in the third quarter. As pointed out Wednesday on ESPN Pittsburgh by my “Countdown to Kickoff” co-host Matt Williamson, the Bills are outscoring opponents 44-0 in the third quarter.

The Steelers blew a 17-6 halftime lead in Cincinnati after winning the season opener in overtime. In Week 2, the Patriots held onto the ball for the final six and a half minutes to grind out a 17-14 win. The Steelers held a 14-13 halftime lead in Cleveland before falling 29-17, and they were up on the Jets 20-10 entering the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium Sunday.

So imagine what the second half could look like in Buffalo if the Bills are even within shouting distance of the Steelers, let alone up as big as most people are anticipating.

Points for Poyer

One of the Bills defensive standouts just received NFL Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance in the 23-20 victory against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

Safety Jordan Poyer had two interceptions, three passes defended and six tackles. He leads the NFL with four interceptions so far this season in just three games.

Poyer was named an All-Pro last year. His Defensive Player of the Week win is the first time a Bills player has earned that recognition in 2022. Greg Rousseau got the honor in Week 5 of 2021 following a game against the Kansas City Chiefs.