If the first five years of Chase Claypool’s career are as good as the first five years of Dez Bryant’s career, Steelers fans will wind up being quite happy.

Well, on the field anyway.

That would mean 381 catches, 5,424 yards, and 58 touchdowns.

Now, the Baltimore Ravens are simply hoping Bryant does a good job replicating Claypool in practice. The franchise signed the former Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowler to the practice squad this week. On Wednesday, via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, Bryant posed as Claypool in Baltimore’s workouts.

Here is Dez Bryant (wearing No. 11 as the scout team Chase Claypool) making a one-handed grab in his first Ravens practice pic.twitter.com/E6he8XIbhV

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 28, 2020

The age may not be right. Claypool is 22. Bryant is 31. But the size is close. At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, Bryant is at least close to Claypool’s 6-foot-4, 238.

Now I’m just wondering who the Steelers have as a scout team corner who can replicate Marlon Humphrey or Marcus Peters.

Hmm. Gimme a minute.

On Wednesday, I asked Ravens head coach John Harbaugh about Claypool. And his own potential rookie star, former Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins.

The Steelers selected Claypool at pick No. 49 (second round). Then, six picks later, the Ravens chose Dobbins. Many have theorized that if the Steelers had selected Dobbins — which SOME PEOPLE wanted — the Ravens would’ve taken Claypool.

Claypool is averaging 18.5 yards per reception. That’s sixth in the league. Dobbins is averaging 6.2 yards per rush, with two touchdowns. But running behind Lamar Jackson, Mark Ingram and Gus Edwards, he’s only had 25 attempts.

“We looked at both of those guys,” Harbaugh said. “J.K. has done a good job for us. Right on schedule. Hard worker. Tremendous young man. Great attitude. Tremendous work ethic. A joy to be around every day.”

Harbaugh admits Claypool’s skillset would have been tempting had he still been on the board.

“He was high on our board coming out,” Harbaugh said of Claypool. “He fits what they do really well. What any team might do. Big. Strong. A big radius receiver. He’s got speed. He’s tough. Blocks. He’s made big plays. He’s someone we have to be conscious of defending.”

The only two Ravens pass-catchers with more than 11 receptions are Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (26) and tight end Mark Andrews (20). Brown and Willie Snead each have one touchdown catch. No other wide receiver for the Ravens has any.

Claypool has four catches for scores, two more on the ground.

“They have utilized three runners to this point in the season, and it doesn’t appear to be any schematic differences in the play selection of anything of that nature,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said of Dobbins’ usage with the Ravens. “I just think they have three backs that they like, and they’re utilizing all of them. I would imagine that they are getting to know their young one without preseason and so forth.”

Who wants to bet both rookies find a way to score Sunday? That would be as Steelers-Ravens as it gets.

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