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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.10.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
Good afternoon. Let's get the chat started.
Stairway to seventh seed
11:57
Ray:  what is your initial reaction on how yesterday's moves change the draft strategy?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
Well, I think Omar Khan did a nice job yesterday of giving the Steelers options with their pick at No. 21. WR remains a need, but they can now afford to take one in the second or third round. Same goes for CB. This is a longstanding method by the Steelers. They never want to go into a draft absolutely needing a certain position. You always want to be in a position where you can draft the best player on your board at a position of need. Having said that, if I had to handicap right now what they'll do at No. 21, I still say WR with one of those three safeties now firmly in the conversation. I really like Dillon Thieneman from Oregon. We'll see what happens six weeks from now, but those are my thoughts right now.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:00
Ray:  it is lost in the shuffle of bigger moves, but were you surprised that they brought Holcomb back for more than the league minimum?  I really thought he looked like he can't play anymore last year.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
The salary cap is now over $300 million. Teams are going to start paying special teams players more than the league minimum. If all Holcomb does is play special teams -- and he does it well -- paying him $2 million a year is not outrageous.
Mark
12:02
What is the quarterback situation? Are we really waiting for Aaron Rodgers or are we talking with any other QB free agents?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
I cannot imagine the Steelers heading into free agency without a pretty good idea of what's going on with Rodgers. Either that, or they're very comfortable with Mason Rudolph and Will Howard if Rodgers does pull a surprise.
Alan in Bama
12:04
Good morning Ray, the loss of Kenny G hurts but not surprising that he got more $$$ elsewhere. Seems like his value as a Steeler was more as a receiver in addition to rushing ability. Do you feel that was a result of Rodgers not having a reliable arsenal of wide receivers in addition to Metcalf?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
Most certainly. Gainwell is a really good back, but they basically chose Dowdle over him. The difference in money was less than $1 million a year. I think Gainwell will do well in Tampa, but I do wonder if he produces the same way in the Bucs' offense. For one, they are stacked at receiver even with Mike Evans leaving. How many targets will he get. And then there is the question of whether he was a creation of Rodgers. In other words, will Baker Mayfield be able to get him the ball as often in favorable matchups, situations, etc.
Hi Ray -
12:06
Do you think the Steelers will make any more moves, or hold tight in the hopes of netting a comp pick for next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
Their moves on Day 1 of the legal tampering period suggested they want those comp picks again next season for the ability to move up to get a QB. As I type this James Pierre, Isaac Seumalo and Gainwell left and only Dowdle came as a free agent. So Gainwell and Dowdle effectively cancel each other out, but they'd still get two comp picks for Seumalo and Pierre. Not a third-rounder like they did last year for Dan Moore, but picks nonetheless. But that's if they stand pat. And remember, the Steelers still have some others who might leave, including Calvin Austin III.
Turk in MD
12:08
With all this draft capital, why not double dip in the 1st round.  Omar could go WR and DL (Woods or McDonald) at the end of Round 1.  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Maybe they'll do that, but this draft is not shaping up as a strong first round draft. It's a deep draft with similar players available in rounds 1 and 2 and 2 and 3 and so on and so forth. So usually when you trade up it's because there is a special player you want. This draft might not have a lot of special players. I was on a conference call with Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network a few weeks ago, and he said the 2027 draft is shaping up as one of the best in recent memory. So if he's aware, you know GMs are aware. Look for Khan and other GMs to try to trade back to get 2027 draft capital if they can.
Jake
12:11
Going to be interesting to see how our Secondary shakes out. Porter and Dean on the outside. Elliot at SS, Ramsey at FS or Slot and depending on where Ramsey ends up playing. Who’s your Slot or FS? I’d love to get the Safety from Oregon
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
Yeah Thieneman would be great. Then you can move Ramsey around the secondary. He could play in the slot or safety depending upon how you want to deploy Thieneman. That would be ideal for me. But as of right now, you have Echols, Ramsey or Samuel for the slot. That's some decent depth and I expect they'll draft a CB on Thursday or Friday.
Turk in MD
12:12
Hi Ray! With the exception of QB, LG appears to be the big hole on this roster.  From your podcasts (love them btw), you suggested either drafting one on Day 2 or getting a midlevel FA.  Who should they be targeting?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
As far as free agents go, is Wyatt Teller still available? He might be someone to watch if they don't mind compromising their comp pick formula. If not a free agent, then roll with Spencer Anderson and draft a guard. Hey, guard could be in play now in Round 1. If not, round 1 then somewhere in the first four rounds. You need some competition for Anderson. You don't want to just hand him the starting job.
Hi Ray -
12:14
I’d love to see the Steelers sign a quality LT for insurance.  Whoever is the QB, a banged up Jones or inexperienced Cook is too great a risk.  See WR room in 2024 and 2025 as examples of hope over depth.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
Good point, but Gerry Dulac reported yesterday that Jones might now be ready for camp. He said his recovery could be six months instead of nine months. He noted he had the same surgery as Asante Samuel Jr., whose recovery took a little longer. All neck surgeries are different so they might put that off until they know for sure what's going on with Jones.
Yuri
12:16
Hello Ray, I was wondering if the Steelers offered Gainwell and he declined before deciding to go to Tampa Bay or if the Steelers decided that Dowdle was the better fit for McCarthy’s offense.   Thank you Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
I think they knew Gainwell would get a nice contract, and I also think they were very comfortable with Dowdle as his replacement. He played four seasons in Dallas when McCarthy was the head coach there.
Draft King
12:16
Rumors out there that multiple teams are interested in acquiring Patrick Queen. Do you think the Steelers would be willing to trade him or is this just a lot of nothing? Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
I haven't heard that, but if they are considering that they better have someone in mind to replace him. It's one of the most difficult positions on the team. He's the quarterback of the defense. He makes all the calls, gets the players aligned, etc. And he has to be able to stop the run and cover. Payton Wilson might be able to handle those responsibilities, but he's never done it over the long haul. I will point out -- as I did on the North Shore podcast this morning -- that there is a good off-ball linebacker class coming out in the draft this year. If they are considering a trade then almost certainly they have their eye on an ILB in the draft.
Steve in Columbus
12:19
Hi Ray.  With the current moves made, should they still target a WR with their first pick? Or, go S,G,DL,?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
I'll say WR or S, but I won't rule out a G or DL after what happened yesterday. They truly can pick the best player on their board at any of those positions and feel good about it.
J-town Jonnie
12:20
Ray, seeing what the Steelers have done so far in free agency I think they should draft Dillon Thieneman in the first round.  This kid is going to be special. Your thoughts please.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
I'm glad is everyone is hopping on the Thieneman Train. I've been on it for a few weeks. He's a tremendous player, and he did very well in the testing at the combine. But I'm not focused on the combine numbers. All you have to do is watch him play to see how he can impact games at the next level. He has elite speed and instincts. Those are two really good qualities to have for a safety.
Joe in VA
12:21
Just wondering your thoughts on the trade values of: Queen, Watt, Highsmith, Herbig and Metcalf?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
I don't think they'll trade any of them, but none would fetch more than a second-round pick. Obviously Watt might get a second and another mid-round pick. They'd all probably fetch at least a third or fourth, but who knows? The Steelers basically got Pittman for nothing. If the Steelers want to dump someone for some reason they might take less. But I don't think they do.
Ryan H., Gibsonia
12:23
Hey Ray.  Based on what the Steelers have done to date, do you think they might trade up for Dillon Thieneman?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
All aboard! CHOO CHOO
Kaleb J
12:24
What does the Dowdle signing me for my future in the Steel City?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
I don't think your future is bright, Kaleb. But you might get an opportunity if Warren or Dowdle gets injured. If that happens, you better take advantage of your opportunity. It's obvious they don't have a ton of faith in you right now.
Steeltowntim
12:25
Ray, Looks like the Steelers are not wasting any time filling needs before the draft. Do you think the Steelers will start trading this years picks for next year picks now that we might have to many.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
I think Khan will try to do that, but it doesn't have to happen now. More likely to happen on draft day I think.
Manjo
12:27
Does Tomlin have to be a HC for another team to get into the HOF?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
I don't think so. I think he's going to get in and maybe on his first few tries.
Chris
12:27
How much influence is coming from McCarthy on these transactions, and how much of this is just Omar doing what he can now that Tomlin isn't there? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
McCarthy has some say. Obviously, the Dowdle signing is one you can point to. But hey, it's his team. He has to coach it. He's telling Omar what kind of players he wants and Omar tries to go out and execute those moves.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:28
Ray:  Samuel for 1 year at $4m vs Pierre for 2 years at $8.5m total.  Pierre was playing ahead of Samuel last year and would have provided 2 years of service for the same deal.  Samuel maybe has more upside at 26 and further away from his injury.  What are your thoughts on this one?
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