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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.26.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
Scott
2:00
Hi Ray, thanks for the chats and insight. Do you feel the Steelers may be making a mistake by having only Pickens and then bit players in the WR room? I know they will likely draft one early but Friermuth may be injury prone and if Pickens is injured or isn't quite up to WR1 billing, they may be in trouble.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
This draft is loaded with quality receivers. They can get a starting-caliber receiver on Day 2 of the draft. They might even draft two receivers. Not sure if Quez Watkins or Van Jefferson is a bona fide No. 3. But one of them might have to be.
2:03
Also, Tomlin didn't sound worried yesterday. He said WRs and CBs are uniquely qualified to step in for immediate playing time because they're being exposed to NFL-type passing concepts earlier and earlier due to the 7-on-7 culture.
Steve in Canton
2:05
When will your next mock draft come out?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Next week. Was going to do one this week, but with Opening Day on Thursday we're going to push it until next week. Then the final mock goes the week of the draft.
Danny
2:05
I got a draft question if Tomlin wants to draft a center in the 1st round an khan wants to draft a tackle in the 1st round who wins that battle
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
That's why they have a big board. These prospects will be ranked in order. Unless there is a really close call -- maybe one or two spots, it won't be difficult.
Guest
2:07
Hey Ray, should I be worried that the Steelers are going into the draft needing to find at least two, Day 1 starters? I see center, OT WR and CB as major needs.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
You are correct although I would say slot CB is a need rather than outside CB since they acquired Donte Jackson. And remember, there is a possibility Patrick Peterson comes back as the slot so it might not be a major need if that's the plan. I feel like they can get plug-and-play starters at 20 and 51 at either WR, OC and OT but maybe not all three. Possibly but not likely.
Danny
2:10
Could u see Tomlin coaching the steelers longer then chuck noll did
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
He's young enough to do that. And he loves to coach football so it's not like he's going to want to walk away and go into broadcasting or something like that. But eventually the time will come for him to move on. With Noll and Landry and Belichick they all probably stayed a little too long. Does Tomlin want to do that or maybe go out on top if the Steelers can win again in the next few years? That's the question.
Jeff M
2:13
Unless a top WR or CB slips to 20 in feels like they will draft OL. If it is between Mimms and JPJ who do you think they take? Do you think DARIUS ROBINSON could be a sleeper pick in the 1st round?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Darius Robinson was in for a visit but not sure if he's viewed as a first-round guy. If you look at the prospect rankings he's usually early to mid second round. And the Steelers would have him play DE rather than edge. As for Mims or JPJ, that's a tough call. JPJ is ready made to start right away, but Mims probably has more upside.
Danny
2:15
Where do u see the steelers going in the 1st round center or tackle
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Check out my mock draft next week. It's a good debate.
Matt
2:16
Hi Ray!  Would it be too risky to draft OT first, then C ?  Maybe trade up in the 2nd to do so?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
It's risky because the top three centers might not be there at 51. But you have to stay true to your board. That's what good personnel departments do. You don't reach for certain positions.
Steve in Canton
2:17
What ever happened to the Tyler Boyd signing? Does he want too much dineros?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
Lots of action in the first wave of free agency and then it tends to slow down some in the weeks after that. Some guys like Boyd might be waiting for other moves to happen. Or injuries this spring and summer before he signs.
Bill in LA
2:19
Should Arthur Smith’s offense be considered special or just average? It was good in Tennessee when he had Derek Henry and and poor in Atlanta where he had average players.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
I like his offense, but obviously every OC or head coach needs quality play at the QB position for it to be successful.
Steve in Canton
2:20
If the Steelers draft a receiver at #20, do you think George Pickens will pull a Kenny & pout his way outta town?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
No and I don't have a strong feeling they'll go WR at No. 20. Never say never, but I feel like a WR on Day 2 is more likely.
WR1&2
2:21
Seems odd to be banking on WR 1 and 2 to be Pickens and Rookie Draft Pick. Currently it doesn’t seem like they have a serious WR2 or 3 on the roster. Is a vet signing or trade still in the cards? If so, who they looking at? Boyd talks seemed to have stalled and Aiyuk rumors appear to be shot down.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
Yeah the trade talks have quieted. John Lynch came out and said he's not trading Aiyuk. We'll see if he sticks to his guns. I will say the 49ers are in a unique situation. They've been knocking on the door but haven't won the Super Bowl yet. They might be more willing to keep a guy like Aiyuk in the final year of his deal than other teams because he could potentially help them win one. Also could be a distraction. We've seen that with the Steelers. It happened with Le'Veon Bell. That was a big distraction. We'll see how it goes with the 49ers this summer. As for the second and third receiver spots I agree with you. There is work to be done. I view Watkins and Jefferson as 4 and 5 types more than 3s. Seems like they have an abundance of 4s and 5s with Calvin Austin too. Maybe they feel better about one of those guys than the rest of us.
Steve in Canton
2:25
Bigger need: Drafting a starting center or a #2 WR?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
Both! It's more likely they get WR2 in the second round though. I know that's not your question, but that's how it might unfold. It's a very deep draft for WRs and I don't think Barton, JPJ or Frazier will be there at 51. If one of them is then I'd probably lean center.
Steve in Canton
2:27
Does the Kyle Allen signing mean the Steelers won't draft a QB?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
Maybe Day 3 but I doubt it.
Joseph
2:27
How would you rank the Steelers draft priority if we were drafting today? I'd go OC, WR, OT, CB, DL.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
You have the positions right. I don't worry about the order as much as others. Andy Weidl will set the board and they'll make selections laregely based off that.
Steve in Canton
2:28
Better center to draft for the Steelers - JPJ or Troy Fautanu
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
Fautanu can probably play center if he was asked, but he's being projected more as a tackle or guard. He played mostly tackle at Washington. There are lots of first-round OLs with position flexibility. JC Latham also can play tackle or guard. It's something front offices value.
Steve in Canton
2:30
Will ILB Patrick Queen get to wear #6 with the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
Yes.
Tim in Cleveland
2:30
if one of the top two DL’s were to drop within striking distance in the draft, is there one the Steelers would move up for?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
Byron Murphy is really the only DL who might be worth taking at No. 20. I'd be OK with that. He'd be a replacement for Ogunjobi. That would give them quality depth on the interior of the DL. If they don't draft a DE like Robinson they really need DeMarvin Leal to step up and play well. He had a disappointing second season.
Guest
2:32
Hi, Ray. Thanks for doing this again. Will there be another Black Friday NFL game this year? I’ve yet to hear anything on that front, even though we’ve heard games scheduled for pretty much every other major holiday.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
The schedule is going to come out in May. I just read earlier today the NFL is going to play two games on Christmas Day, which falls on a Wednesday this year. Will be interesting to see how they work that with off weeks and Thursday night games preceding those games. I'm sure they'll do a Black Friday game again if it was profitable for the league last year.
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