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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.24.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:52
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and we'll get started.
Harold H.
1:53
Do you believe there is anyone on the Steelers roster that they would possibly trade in order to get more draft picks? If so, who might that be and what kind of picks could the Steelers expect in return?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
I don't know if that's on their radar. Usually when you make a trade you make it from a position of surplus. The Steelers aren't really blessed with depth at any position. They'r set with starters and have a lot of money tied up in starters, which is they lack depth at many spots.
Harold H.
1:54
I keep hearing that the Dolphins have been linked to Tua in many mock drafts. If that happens, what do you think the possibility is of the Steelers trading one of their two round four picks for Josh Rosen - who would almost certainly be expendable with the addition of Tua?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
Rosen is from the same draft class as Mason Rudolph. So he's on the same time timeline, although I suppose some team could pick up his fifth-year option if they wanted to. I don't know why they would do that, but it's an option. The Steelers know Rudolph. They like him and want to develop him. What's the point in bringing in someone you don't know all that well?
Andrea
1:56
Hi Ray...any chance the Steelers re-sign Mark Barron if the price is right?  Thanks Ray!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
Absolutely if the price is right. No one has picked him up yet. Maybe he'd come back for $2-3 million a year.
pdxJaxon
1:57
Hey Ray,
Im actually pretty excited about the free agent signings to date. Not exactly game changes, but certainly provide the team with more flexibility in the draft.
I like our chances of getting both a great WR (Tee Higgins Maybe) in Round 2 and a RB upgrade in Rd 3 (Zach Moss For Example).
Thoughts on something like this playing out?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
I agree with you. They set themselves up well for the draft. I'm working on my Steelers mock draft 3.0 right now. (It's going to run next week, I think). I think they can go WR, RB or OT at 49. And it might depend on who the best player is on their board at that point. WRs are really good and deep in this class. There are three or four top RBs that might be there in the middle of the second round and one or two tackles that might be worth taking there. Lots of possibilities.
AZ
2:00
Chances we trade up in the draft or trade a 2021 to add a pick in 2020?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
I don't think that's likely.
Justin
2:00
A lot of National Media are saying that Jameis Winston should sign with the Steelers.  Have the Steelers even shown a remote interest in signing him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
Not to my knowledge. I haven't been able to connect the dots on that one. He's a turnover machine, which is definitely something the Steelers don't need. Plus, he'd be a backup to Ben for at least two years. Why would he sign on for that unless he was completely out of options. I mean, he can probably go to Jacksonville or L.A. and have a better chance of starting in the nest two years. I'd rather compete against Minshew and Tyrod Taylor than a Hall of Famer.
NC Steel
2:02
Hi Ray, Am feeling good about the team's recent signings, especially Wisnewski. Does this make it all but certain that their 2nd rd pick will be a RB or WR?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
You are correct although I still think OT is a possibility. Villanueva is entering the final year of his deal. They need to develop a left tackle. I suppose Okorafor might be someone they'd look at there, but he's likely to battle for a starting job at RT in camp this year.
Utah Jim
2:03
Is WR really the top priority?  He'd start as WR4 at best and likely behind the two TEs as well when it comes to targets.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
They could use a playmaker for the offense. If that turns out to be a WR, so be it. It certainly doesn't have to be. It could be a RB at 49. And in this draft you should be able to get a really good WR in the third and maybe the fourth too.
Dan
2:05
Hey Ray hope you are safe..2 quick questions..Can the Steelers trade their third round supplemental pick...in other words that third and a fourth to get another second round ? And what do you make of the Cam Newton situation ? Has he fallen that far or just a bad egg ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
You are allowed to trade comp picks. But I don't think trading a low third-round pick and a fourth-round pick would get you into the second round. I'd have to consult the draft value chart to see what that would get you. But I'm fairly certain it's not enough to make a move into the second. As for Newton, I've never been a big fan. I just can't get over him not going after his own fumble in the Super Bowl against Denver. I'd never want him on my team even though he still has talent.
Kol Diamond
2:07
Do you think Jamis Winston would be a perfect candidate for Bens backup. They used guys like Charlie Batch and it worked
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
I think Jameis Winston will have a better chance to compete for a starting job somewhere else in the NFL in 2020.
Gino
2:07
Hey Ray...do you think Deon Cain has a legit chance of making the team this season?  I thought he did well in his limited playing time last year.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
Depends on what they do in the draft, of course. But yes, he was on the 53-man roster last season.
steelbydesign
2:08
Teams are apparently ignoring WR's in free agency due to the position being so strong in the draft. Why not throw a 1 year deal at Robby Anderson? Maybe he'd be happy to play with Ben for a year and try to cash in next season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
If Anderson does go somewhere on a 1-year deal he'd be smart to go somewhere where he'll get a lot of targets. Not sure he'd get that with the Steelers with JuJu and Diontae Johnson firmly established as the top two guys in the WR rotation.
Mark
2:09
Aside from the contracts and related FO stuff, what is your personal opinion/evaluation of the FA pickups and the trade as they potentially relate to play on the field?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
I like Watt as a FB and special teams player. Wisniewski is a really good pickup. He can compete to be the starter and at worst will be the top backup at C and G. Womrley is another body on the defensive line. He can compete for snaps with Alualu and Buggs. Ebron is the big question mark for me. He left Indy under some questionable circumstances. He's had injuries, including two surgeries on ankles in the fall. And he's been prone to drops. Yes, he made the Pro Bowl in 2018 and had 13 touchdowns. And that potential is there with the Steelers, too. But there is the possibility Ebron's signing might not turn out in their favor, either.
Max
2:12
Ray, after FA picks as of now, pick 49 scenario: RB Akers and Helarie only RB’s available, WR Claypool only WR available IOL Cushenberry and Ruiz only available and OT Isiah Wilson also. Who’s your first pick and second Choice out of only this scenario ? Thanks..
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Wilson or Akers. Really tough call. I might go Akers, but I've been on the Wilson train for a while and I would not be disappointed if he was the pick.
jerry
2:13
Ray, I'm worried about the offensive line. What's your best guess about what the starting line looks like on opening day?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
From left to right: Villanueva, Feiler or Wisniewski, Pouncey, DeCastro and Okorafor or Banner.
Lisa
2:14
Would u take a RB @ 49 Ray? If you could choose one RB and are all available, who’s the best Fit @ 49?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
I think RB is a possibility now after the moves they made in free agency. All depends on who is available. Taylor, Swift, Dobbins, Edwards-Helaire, Akers... But yes, I think a RB or WR are in play at 49.
Frank
2:15
I see the signing of Derek Watt as a sign that the Steelers will run the ball more / use the fullback more.  Do you agree with this assessment or do you see it as more of a special teams signing?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
I think they want to improve the running game and I think Watt will be a part of that. But don't get the idea they're going to use the FB 30 times a game.
Hickster
2:16
I think Kerrith Whyte could be the next Fast Willie Parker for the Steelers. He ran a 4.36 at his pro day. Do you think we will see more of him next year ? The other backs can’t break 40 yard runs!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Right, which is why RB is in play at 49. Whyte is fast and showed some flashes late last season. But I'm not sure they view him as a future starter. Maybe nice change-of-pace back.
Carl
2:17
Just wondering if you ever interviewed Woody Widenhofer?  Another of Coach Noll’s great assistants has passed.  My condolences to his family and the Steelers.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
I interviewed Widenhofer a few times. The last time I interviewed him was a year or two ago. George Perles and Dan Radaknocih also died in the past few months.
Robert
2:18
At pick 49 and due to their limited number of high draft picks in this draft, the Steelers should select their highest rated player still on the board at pick 49, regardless of need. Yes or no and why?
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