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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.01.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:47
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and we'll get started soon.
Linus
11:51
Do you think the Steelers are considering moving up in the draft to possibly get a player they want?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:51
Yes they will consider that option. GM Kevin Colbert said as much at the owner's meetings last week.
Treesmann
11:51
If both devins are gone by the time the Steelers draft and the TE Hockenstein from Iowa is there why not grab him. Great receiver with decent speed and a very good blocker. He and McDonald would never have to leave the field   Steelers would be a threat to run or pass on every down
Ray Fittipaldo
11:53
If they're going to draft a TE in Round 1 I imagine it would be a fast one that could stretch the field because that's what the offense needs. Hockenson is the better all-around TE, but Noah Fant is the better receiver and most likely the guy who will take advantage of mismatches in the NFL. That being said, I'd be surprised if they drafted a TE in Round 1.
Curt
11:54
What does the team do with Boswell?  Do they assume he's broken and unreliable, or wait it out until the season starts and see if he can get us another tie with Cleveland and wait 8-10 games before looking at their options?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:54
It appears as if there will be a competition with Matt McGrane this spring and summer.
GSK
11:54
Hi Ray, any free agent tight ends on the Steelers radar? Seems like a move there to add a veteran is a must to add some depth especially with McDonald's injury history and not much behind him.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:55
They had one free agent TE visit, but he re-signed with the Jaguars. I think they'll address TE in the draft. Xavier Grimble is a veteran TE. He remains on the roster.
CaineMAnderson
11:55
Does the rise of B. Mayfield and L. Jackson in the AFC North change the Steelers approach to this draft from what we’ve seen in years past?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
I think it does. You need athletic players to chase those guys around especially Jackson. Keith Butler told me in training camp last year that they were preparing defenses for Jackson. They knew it was coming and I think you'll see them take some athletic players in the draft to deal with their mobility.
SteelerGill66
11:57
What's your gut telling you they do in the draft? I want them to move to 10th and get White, but it would be so Steelerish to use all the picks and draft WR in round 1.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
I doubt the move is to No. 10. The Bengals sit at No. 10 and they also need a LB. I think they might have to move to No. 9 to get White (if he's still available). Not sure if they'd have to move to No. 9 to get Bush but likely into the teens.
Draft King
11:58
A lot of the mock drafts have the two Devin's going by the 11th pick in the first round.   Too expensive for the Steelers to move up?  Adding defensive play makers are clearly a priority for them in this draft.  Who do they draft if the Devin's are gone and if it isn't an Inside Linebacker how do they address that need?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
Kevin Colbert said they would not be shy about moving up if they believed the player was worth it. They've done it in the past with Troy Polamalu and Santonio Holmes... If both Devins are gone then I would imagine they would look at CB, S, WR or maybe OLB.
DaquidoBazzini
11:59
Hi, Ray - I’ve seen varied reviews of what we can expect from Donte Moncrief. I know he’s no AB (talent wise), but what’s your assessment?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
Wait and see He's never played with a QB the caliber of Roethlisberger.
Jill
12:00
Do you think coaches/GMs acknowledge their player evaluation issues during the draft? For example, if the Steelers had a WR and CB rated similarly, might they take the WR because they know that historically they are better at picking good WRs than CBs?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
I don't know for sure, but the history has to creep into their minds. They know their strengths and weaknesses.
Duke
12:01
Do you think the Steelers have any interest in running back David Montgomery ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
He's a second- or third-round guy. I don't think the Steelers will use a high draft pick on a RB.
Steeler Joe
12:02
Hey, Ray. I'm in favor of the Steelers using all that draft capital to move up in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th rounds to get quality over quantity--but not wasting it to move up in the 1st round, because the price is far too high, and I think Devin Bush is a risk at higher than 20 (and we can't move up far enough to get Devin White). What are your thoughts as far as trading up, and quality vs. quantity?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
You move up if you think you can grab a future All-Pro, someone you believe will be a difference-maker. I happen to think Bush is worth moving up for. Just my opinion. He's fast, a leader and can play in coverage.
Steeler Joe
12:03
If there is a trade of first-round picks, am I correct that it's not likely to happen until draft day? You wouldn't want to give the Ravens a target to get ahead of in advance...
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
Correct. Trades happen on draft night, right before the pick happens.
Taking a quick timeout to get the predraft visitors for today. I'll be back soon to answer as many questions as I can.
12:11
Predraft visitors for today: RB Miles Sanders of Penn State; RB Damien Harris of Alabama; TE Alize Mack of Notre Dame; WR Andy Isabella of UMASS; WR Dillion Mitchell of Oregon.
Bob Post in Fl
12:11
Ray, How can the this organization be satisfied with the pathetic special teams and punter? They are consistently one of the most penalized special teams unit and Berry is one of the worst punters in the NFL? How is Smith even employed after last season?? Thanks, Bob
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
They're not satisfied. I think Berry will have competition this summer and I think you'll see some different personnel on special teams.
BIG TEX
12:12
Greedy Williams was projected in the top 5 just a few weeks ago and now mocks have him as a fit for the Steelers at 20. Is there something causing this free fall, and should the Steelers stay away?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
I've read a few takes from scouts who are concerned with his ability to cover short and intermediate routes. He has the size and the athletic skills. He's big and he's fast. He would be enticing.
Steeler Joe
12:14
The narrative going into camp this year seems to be that Rudolph will pass Dobbs as backup QB. Why? Rudolph was picked a little higher, but not significantly. Dobbs seems brainy and has the physical skills. I feel like he's under the radar a bit, and Rudolph is being gifted a status for no good reason.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
Who said he was being "gifted" a status? He'll have to earn the job. But Kevin Colbert himself said the Steelers had a higher than third round grade on Rudolph.
Blawnox Bill
12:15
James Washington making a big stride this year?  Did he learn his lesson on not diving if you dont have to?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
They believe he'll be better. But they'll still draft a WR to help make up for the loss of Antonio Brown.
BIG TEX
12:15
With Rogers and Switzer playing similar roles for this offense, what are the odds both are on the final roster? If only one can stay, who do you think gets cut?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
I'm with you. I don't know if both will be on the 53-man roster. They're very similar. Don't know if you need two of the same guy. Ben seems to like both so it should be a good competition if it comes to that.
scott in dallas
12:18
Good morning Sir.
With the stated objective of filling holes in FA to allow for drafting the BPA do you expect the team to truly do that in the 1st? If a DL falls to them could they take one to develop for a year to replace an under performing Tuitt (based on his contract)?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
Still a need for an ILB in Round 1 in my estimation but the signing of Barron does put them in position to draft BPA. Not sure if it will be a DL because they have so much $ tied up in Heyward and Tuitt. But it could be ILB, CB, S, TE, WR. They'll have options if they don't move up.
Shawn
12:19
Hakeem Butler (WR ISU) in the second round for the Steelers?  Would you like the pick?
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