JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's and Brian Batko's 2020 NFL draft chat: 04.23.20

Ray Fittipaldo

6:47

Welcome to our draft chat. The queue is open so get your questions in.

DaquidoBazzini

6:55

I’ve seen two very different opinions today (from experienced media guys that cover the Steelers in Pittsburgh) in regards to the Steelers extending/resigning Juju before next year. What’s your opinion?

Ray Fittipaldo

6:56

I think they're going to take care of Cam Heyward first and I'm not sure if they'll be able to do JuJu as well. They could, but they could also let him play out the season and deal with a new contract next spring/summer. Remember the Steelers can use the franchise tag on JuJu so they can control him for another year and try to get something done.

paullochrane@yahoo.com

6:57

will the rooneys try to dump ben and his contract off to another team or keep paying him for producing only 3 playoff wins in 11 years

Ray Fittipaldo

6:59

Dang, what happened to all the optimism the draft brings? The truth is they're married to Ben for two more years for better or worse. And after last season, I think it will be better if he's healthy. He might not be the ol' gunslinger, but he doesn't have to be with this defense.

pdxJaxon

6:59

Let there be a Run on QBs in tonights Draft. Hoping to get an Awesome RB and WR tomorrow in 2&3

Ray Fittipaldo

7:00

QBs and offensive tackles. I think you'll see four QBs go in Round 1 tonight. And I think you'll see 6 or 7 offensive tackles as well. That's 11 players, and we haven't even discussed receivers or or defensive players. Definitely something to watch tonight.

paullochrane@yahoo.com

7:01

dang, he only has 1 touchdown pass in 2 super bowl wins !!!!!!!! am i missing something?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:02

You're right. He stinks. I don't suppose he played well against the Colts or Broncos in 2005

Baghdad_Ben

7:02

Are you as eager as I am to see the end to the Jalen Hurts to th Steelers speculation? Makes no sense from several angles.

Ray Fittipaldo

7:03

It doesn't make sense to me either. But he won't go in the first round so you might have to hear about it again tomorrow!

Super Dave

7:06

Why did the Dolphins trade Minkah? Seems strange.

Ray Fittipaldo

7:07

According to reports out of Miami he didn't like the way the Dolphins used him so they decided to put him on the trade block. He was always diplomatic when he was asked about it last season even after the Steelers beatthe Dolphins at Heinz Field.

Smoke

7:08

I believe Schuster and Johnson are great number 2 receivers. Is there a number one in the third round ... and do we need one with two great tight ends?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:10

I'd remind you JuJu had over 1,400 yards when Roethlisberger was healthy. I know he had Antonio Brown by his side, but I'm not going to say he's not a true No. 1. Let's see how he bounces back this year. He was without Roethlisberger for most of the year, and he was dealing with injuries. As for the two "great" tight ends. They have one Pro Bowl appearances between them. Maybe good?

Lambert’s Lunatics

7:13

Do you see Edmunds moving to hybrid role if we go safety in round 2 or 3?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:15

I think that could happen. I interviewed Rod Woodson earlier this week, and he thinks Edmunds might be better suited to play the hybrid LB role. Mark Barron made a similar move relatively early in his career. He was drafted as a safety and moved to ILB/hybrid. But as you point out they'd have to find a safety to play deep. Don't think they have one on the roster now capable of doing it unless they think Cam Sutton can make the move.

Seattle Art

7:16

I like Akers from FSU. Do you think we actually have a legitmate shot at 49?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:17

Yes I think there is a good chance he is there at 49. On average over the past decade only 2 or 3 backs get selected in the first 50 picks. You might even see Jonathan Taylor or JK Dobbins on the board at 49. I think Swift from Georgia will be the first RB off the board.

Showdog

7:18

Is there any chance the Steerlers surprise us and move up into the 1st round tonigh.

Ray Fittipaldo

7:19

Just don't have the ammunition this year. Next pick after 49 is 102. Not unless they package picks from next year's draft, and I doubt another GM will make that swap.

DormontDirtbag

7:20

Having watched LSU reruns from their games last season against Bama and Clemson, my takeaways were that LB Queen and S Delpit miss ALOT of tackles and that Clyde Edwards -Helaire (sp?) is a gamer unfazed by big game pressure. Your thoughts on the Tigers?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:21

Lots of good players from LSU. They should have a bunch of guys taken in the first round. CEH is a really good back. I think he's going to be really good in the NFL. Not sure if he's right for the Steelers because of his stature and the way the Steelers ask their backs to stay in for pass pro on occasion. Delpit had a bit of a down year after a better year in 2018. Should be a good night for the Tigers.

Steelers 2020

7:22

I'm JuJu Smith-Schuster, my agent told me I'm worth $16M a year. What are my chances being paid like a #1 WR in 2021?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:22

Pretty good if the Steelers use the franchise tag.

James

7:23

The Steelers appear to be in a "win-now" mentality with the uncharacteristic - for them - Bush and Minkah moves. After several years, they once again have an excellent defense! With this type of defense, I think the Steelers could still contend even if Ben can't return or is injured again IF they had a decent backup (no, Rudolph is clearly not the answer). Given how talented their defense is, isn't it basically malpractice to go into a season without a backup who gives them a chance to win games?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:26

They are banking on Rudolph improving and learning from his mistakes last season. 2. There just aren't many teams that pay their QB north of $30 million a year that also spend $$$ on a backup QB. The Patriots never paid big $$$ to a backup for Brady. Did the Colts when Manning was their QB? Did the Chargers with Rivers? It just doesn't happen. 3. I'm not convinced Rudolph is the answer either, but he had some adversity last season. Tough season all around. I think they'd be OK with him with a short-term injury. Long-term? Probably not.

Al Davis

7:27

How about we draft a guy or two who will be a starter and help win now baby rather than a backup who could help next year or in case of an injury?

Guest

7:27

Not a draft thought but more food for thought - Steelers had bad luck the past few years that could not have been foreseen. One of the best running backs gives up a year at the peak of his career, one of the best receivers goes nuts, and one of the best linebackers has an injury that ends his career. These freak events as much as anything has meant some lost seasons, don’t you think?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:29

Good points. Other teams have personnel problems, but I agree with you some of those were hard to foresee. I don't think anyone believed Bell would take the stance he did. You can make the argument they coddled Brown and created some of their own misfortune with him. Like Mike Tomlin says, 'The Standard is the Standard.'

Steelers 2020

7:29

Bud Dupree just signed his Franchise Tag today, the day of the Draft. Would you be shocked if the Steelers made a trade shipping Dupree out for multiple picks?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:30

That would surprise me. He was a big part of that defense. They wanted him back so they could make a run with a healthy Roethlisberger.

Buster smith

7:34

Does Jonathan Taylor go in round 1 and if still available should Steelers take him in the mid 2nd?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:35

Hey Buster, I don't think he'll go in Round 1. More likely early to middle of Round 2. And yes, if he's there the Steelers would strongly consider him.

Here We Go

7:35

If people are unhappy with Conner's fumble problem why is there so much love for Jonathan Taylor's 15 fumbles?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:35

Well, Taylor's fumbles haven't cost the Steelers any games. Ha ha. Sure, it's a concern, but he had a lot of touches at Wisconsin, and I think some of that can be cleaned up with coaching.

Seattle Art

7:36

Curious on your take with Devin Bush? It seemed to me most of his tackles came in pursuit versus anticipation of where the play was designed to go. Am I wrong about that and if I am right, do you see the ability for him to progress in year two?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:37

For sure he'll be better in Year 2. He was thrown into the fire as a rookie and played pretty well. He made some big plays, INTS, fumble recoveries, etc. Can he clean some things up with his game? Yeah. But the Steelers are very excited about him.

James

7:38

I agree with many who feel the Steelers could use a RB or WR with pick #49. Even with a healthy Ben, we saw how the offense struggled without AB against the Bengals at the end of 2018. While we all know that no rookie will instantly be as good as AB, I think that that the Steelers need a WR at #49 who can help open up the field for the other receivers more than a RB? Do you agree?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:39

If it's the right receiver yeah, but don't discount how much a good RB can change that offense. Le'Veon Bell was a pretty big part of those prolific offenses from 2014-17. If they do take a receiver it needs to be a fast/quick guy that can threaten the defense with his speed and playmaking ability.

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