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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.07.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
Welcome and let's get started.
Retire21.
12:00
Who in your order of importance gets extended by start of season and if different, who do you predict gets extended?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
They've had such a tough time over the years developing corners so I'm putting Joey Porter Jr. at the top of my list. He played well last season and appears ready to take the next step to becoming one of the AFC's top players at the position. After Porter, I'd go with Boswell because he's been so good. You don't want to lose him. Then you have Washington and Herbig. They really like both players, but not sure how feasible it will be to keep Herbig when he is blocked by Watt and Highsmith.
SP
12:02
Ray, based solely on their play in 2025 who is the better LT, Jones or Cook?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
Sample size probably too small for Cook, but all things being equal I'd like to see a competition between the two in camp. I think Jones would be given every opportunity to win the job because he was a first-round pick, but if Cook outplays him I don't think the coaching staff would care about where anyone is drafted. The better player has to be in the lineup.
RV
12:04
with great depth at WR in this draft, but less in other positions, is it more likely that the Steelers try to move up to get a safety or OL , or move back and still get a WR on their board?   Or just sit tight and take best available at one of those positions?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
I think sitting tight at 21 is the most likely option. I think they'll get one of the top receivers, safeties or guards if they do that.
CoalportKid
12:05
Allar's going to need a second round pick right?  Someone is going to love the talent and blame Franklin for the 'big game issues' right?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
I wouldn't be surprised, but definitely by the third round. He's not lasting until the fourth. Quarterback is such a premium position, and you're right, some team will see the size, the arm strength, the natural talent and think they can make him into a starter at some point.
Steeltown
12:06
Ray, with all the noise about Aaron Rodgers, potentially wanting more money, what do you think the max the Steelers will offer Aaron?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
I don't have any inside info. on what the Steelers would be willing to pay, but I think $20 million is fair.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:07
Ray: how many top 30 visits have the Steelers completed and how many first round targets were among them?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
Ballpark 10-12. Some of those are local visits, which don't count against their 30 allotted visits. Denzel Boston is in today and he's projected to go in the first round. He's the only one so far, but they have until the 15th to complete the rest of their visits so you might see a few more first-round types come in.
Andy from Montana
12:09
Good morning Ray! Please say it out loud with me: VEGA LOANE!!!!! I'm hoping....
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
They would be fortunate if he fell to 21.
Jeff M
12:10
Is the gap between Omar Cooper Jr. and the Tier 2 wideouts wider than the gap between Vega Ioane and the Round 2 guards? I’m seeing Bisontis/Pregnon available at 53 in mocks, but the WR drop-off after Cooper feels steep. Does that scarcity force your hand at 21?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
I don't think so. They traded for Pittman so they are not desperate for a starting WR. There are lots of good receivers that will go in rounds 2 and 3.
45 year fan
12:12
GM Ray. What have you heard about WR Chris Brazzell out of Tennessee? I know the Steelers had him in for one of their 30 visits. Do you think he would be a great fit in McCarthy's scheme? Second round grade?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
McCarthy is looking for receivers who can play all three spots in his offense. Brazzell is a blazer, and they're looking at several guys with his athletic profile.
Daniel
12:13
Thanks for doing the chats.  I know it's not easy to do, but what is your gut feeling if we'll be able to add more picks to next year or not?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
My gut feeling says they'll try, but they need a dance partner.
G Man
12:14
Hi Ray.  Let’s assume Thieneman is gone, and the Penn State guard and Jordyn Tyson are available.  Who do you think the Steelers should take?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
Great question. Receivers are plentiful in this draft and guard isn't as deep. Even though they've taken OL a lot in the first round in recent years they might do it again in that scenario. Then again, McCarthy is an offensive coach. He was hired for a reason. They want to give him the weapons he needs so maybe Tyson would be the pick.
John
12:16
Good Morning Ray. Even though we only play the base defense maybe 1/3 of the snaps, I believe a true nose tackle is a glaring weakness. A 3–4 defense that can’t stop the run in The AFC North can be dominated. What do you think about drafting McDonald From OSU in  the first round.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
I wouldn't do that in the first round, but I might do it in the second round.
George T
12:16
Ray, could the Steelers sign Nick Herbig to a long term contract this offseason and then before the trade deadline or next offseason trade TJ Watt or Alex Highsmith. Nick’s new contract will not take effect until next year.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
If he signs a new contract they could structure it in a way where it will be a low cap hit this year, but it would be a new contract, not an extension. I suppose they could do that, but then everyone would know you'd be trying to trade one of those guys. If they were going to do that I think they would have done it by now. The trade not the Herbig contact.
FirstTimeLongTime
12:18
Hey Ray - Omar has filled out the roster pretty well in terms of need and now looking for upgrades. Shocking given the offense talk but could you see them wait to draft a WR and add say DB, LB, DL with the first 3 picks.  I know Colbert liked to alternate but here we are with only holes being WR and G (tackle some could say).
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
They can wait but not long. They need someone to compete with Roman Wilson for the No. 3 job. That's why I think they'll draft at least one in the first three rounds and likely earlier than the third.
dpreble001
12:19
Ray, in some extended mocks(yes im a draft geek) I've seen the Steelers draft a running back,mid to late rounds, have we giving up on Kaleb johnson, without giving him an opportunity?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
I don't see them drafting a RB unless it's with one of their late picks. I don't see them giving up on Johnson after only one season.
G Man
12:20
I remember Tomlin seemed very involved with college pro days.  Are McCarthy and Kahn as active in these during this current draft cycle?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
No, they are not, but that does not mean McCarthy is not involved. He just might do more film work or value the top 30 visits more than the pro days.
Ryan
12:21
Ray what do you think about the Steelers taking Omar copper jr or the guard from Penn state in the first round i think they should draft either one
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
Either would be good picks at 21.
Draft King
12:21
Do teams talk to one another prior to the draft to see if they may be open to trading up or down or is that only happen on the actual day of the draft? Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
Absolutely. When calls are made on draft day the framework for deals for the most part have already been discussed. Remember, there is only 10 minutes between picks in the first round and the time decreases each day. GMs do not have time to dicker back and forth on the phone on draft day. They need answers quickly so they can move on if another GM does not want to make a deal.
Draft King
12:23
Do you think it’s more likely the Steelers attempt to move up in the 2nd round in addition to their pick at 53 using one or two of their 3rd round picks rather than moving up in the first? Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
This draft at the top isn't as strong as most years, but there is good value in rounds 2 and 3 so moving up in the second seems more viable at this point. But you never know. There might be a player they covet they feel they have to move up for.
NY Steeler
12:24
Thanks for the chats, Ray.  I sure hope you and your colleagues will still be around, producing great articles and chatting with us come May.  Anymore clarity on that issue?
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