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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.02.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
Good afternoon. Let's chat.
sbaileyland
1:56
I seem to be in the minority, but I think our receiving corps is fine. Not having Ben was the problem....not to mention JuJu was hurt almost all year. WR seems like a Round 4+ need. Where am I wrong?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Well, the way I see it they have three legitimate NFL receivers in JuJu, Diontae Johnson and James Washington. None of them are blazers. Johnson is elusive and JuJu can make big plays, but they don't have a fast receiver. I like Jalen Reagor of TCU, KJ Hamler of PSU or Devin Duvernay of Texas. They need that guy in the slot that can get yards after the catch. They haven't had that in a while.
Wayneb37087
1:59
Love your chats!  I was wondering what you thought of Lynn Bowden Jr out of Kentucky. Not a polished reciever but a game changer with the ball in his hands.  Also a plus on kick off and punt returns .  Round 4 possibly??
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Love Bowden, but you better have a plan for him. In  other words, he's not ready to step in ad be a WR for you right now. But he can be a gadget player for you and be successful. And in time, with the right coaching, I think his athleticism will help him develop into a quality NFL WR.
DaquidoBazzini
2:01
A guy that intrigues me is Antonio Gibson RB/WR. He had a real good game in the Senior Bowl and a nice Combine. When do you seeing him going in the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Gibson is going be in that third-round range. Could be an option at 102 or with one of the two fourth-round picks.
Aaron Smith fan
2:02
Good afternoon, Ray. Now that he has been with the club for one season, what is your best guess as to how the Steelers organization views Justin Layne's potential to contribute during 2020 and beyond?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
The hope is this season he'll become a viable backup at outside corner. The good news is the coaches felt like he was good enough to dress as part of the 46-man game day roster late in the season. He was dressing and Artie Burns was not. That means he was a viable option and special teams and as a backup CB.
Baghdad_Ben
2:03
Just a few short years back, the biggest CBA complaint was Goddell's unchecked disciplinary power. I have heard nothing about that now that the CBA was signed. Did anything change in that regard?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
No. Everything is the same in terms of discipline.
DavieJ in WI
2:03
Can Diontae be a go to receiver THIS season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Yes, but I don't think he has to be that guy. JuJu is still that guy. With a healthy Roethlisberger I can see JuJu going over 1,000 yards again and Diontae Johnson getting close to that.
Confined in Texas
2:04
Roster size increases by 2 players this year. What positions do you keep for those 2 extra guys? Do you maybe keep specialists, e.g. pure special teams ace or pure run stopping NT or maybe a wildcat guy?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Lots of possibilities there, and it can change from week to week depending on the opponent. Maybe one week it's a pure pass rusher when you;re facing a passing team. Maybe it's a run-stuffer when you're playing the Ravens or Titans.
Guest
2:06
I keep hearing from the Steelers about how deep this years draft class is. Should I take that to mean that the drop off in talent from 1st round to 2nd round to 3rd round is not as drastic as it might be in other years.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
It's deep at certain positions such as WR and offensive tackles. So yes, for those positions, you're going to be seeing really good prospects falling into the second round. That's not the case for tights ends or interior linemen. So it just depends on the positions your team is looking for.
Cody Turner
2:07
Ray why have the Steelers not added a quality FA linebacker via ILB or OLB? Way too many offensive needs in the draft and not enough picks. We can’t expect 4th and 6th round linebackers to make an impact if one of the key guys goes down.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
They obviously felt like they had bigger holes to fill at TE, FB and IOL. I agree the depth is think at LB and safety for that matter. If you remember, the Steelers went into last season without they depth they desired at TE and safety. Sometimes, you can't address every single need during the offseason. Sometimes you have to wait until camp or the regular season to swing a trade or pick up a player that had been cut from other team.
fredward
2:09
Is it more likely we'll see a lineman drop to the Steelers in the draft or a receiver or tailback?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
WR. It's a very deep class. You'll see players getting drafted in the third or fourth round who are going to have roles as rookies with the teams that draft them.
Zack B.
2:10
Our OLB depth isnt great.  If TJ or Bud go down for the tear we are screwed.  Why not sign a vet like Clay Matthews for insurance? If not, what's the plan at that spot?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
I think they'll draft an OLB perhaps as high as the third round. I'm not sure a veteran like Matthews is in their future. Ola Adeniyi and Tuzar Skipper have showed some promise, but they don't have a lot of experience. It certainly is an issue.
Jeff
2:13
A lot of talk about to take RB or not.  As much as I like Conner when healthy his running style makes it difficult to stay healthy, seems knowing this we should take one if some of the top ones are still there.  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
I think they'll take a RB in this draft and likely with one of their top three picks. Conner is a fine back when healthy, but he hasn't been healthy enough for the Steelers.
Exotic AnuJoe
2:14
looking at the instant production Seattle got from a guy like DK Metcalf, shouldn't Colbert not overthink this pick number 49?  Go get a receiver who can score TD's!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
That's what they need. That's why Eric Ebron was signed. And that's why I think you'll seem them taking a WR in the draft.
Adam
2:15
Hi Ray, I think (like many) that running back is a real possibility at #49. Taylor seems like the platonic ideal for a Steelers back, but they didn't send anyone to his pro day. Do you think they're eyeing any of the other top 4 (Akers, Dobbins, Edwards-Helaire, Swift)? If so, who do you think they'd like of that group?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
If not Taylor I like Cam Akers from Florida State. I think Edwards-Helaire will be a really good back in the NFL, but I don't know if he is a typical Steelers feature back. He's only 5-8 and doesn't have a long history in pass protection. He'd be a great third-down back. Swift and probably Dobbins will be gone by 49 I think.
Guest
2:17
With our 2nd round pick would you like either a RB or Wr to be picked and who would you want?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
WRs Jalen Reagor or KJ Hamler are possibilities at 49. Jonathan Taylor and Cam Akers  are the RB possibilities at 49. In the middle rounds I like Devin Duvernay at WR.
Nate
2:19
Hi Ray, is Big Al gone next year no matter how well he plays?  Or will Steelers offer him a short term contract if he has a good 2020?  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Depends, but he's going to turn 32 in September. He's not a guy that helps much in the run game, but he's been solid as a pass protector for the most part. Their draft strategy might give you a hint.
Nate
2:21
Hi Ray, you mentioned Reagor, Hamler and Duvernay as WRs that you like.  If all 3 are there at pick 49, which one would you choose and why?  Love the chats and thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
Reagor or Hamler. Both have the potential to be big-time playmakers.
MrCJJr
2:22
Ray...Thanks for your time. I'm going to ask my quarterly question...Why is McCullers still on the roster? Does losing Hargrave keep him on the roster yet again? Stay safe sir!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
Well, he's the only true nose guard on the roster right now. I suppose they could draft a nose to compete with McCullers, probably in the later rounds. As it stands right now, it looks like Tyson Alualu is the starter at nose, but they'd use Buggs there too.
Alan in Nashville
2:24
Hi, Ray! Comment more than a question. I do think the media is making waaaay too much about the AB, Lamar Jackson and Hollywood workout and although I’m no Ravens fan, I do respect the fact that they’re not stupid enough to make that move. But that being said, I would absolutely love it if they would. Last year when the Browns got OBJ, my Cleveland friends were celebrating while I laughed at them and they couldn’t figure out why. Now they know. What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
If the Patriots couldn't make it work with AB then I'm not sure another team can. Maybe he'll change, but why take the chance? Unless, of course, you're desperate. And the Ravens are far from desperate.
iowaguychris
2:25
So I get it that we aren't going to take a QB in the draft, or get one in FA.  My question is why?  Have you seen anything in Mason or Duck, or Paxton that makes you think we will have a legit shot at a Superbowl if Ben goes down again?  If not - should we really be confident in them?
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