JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's and Brian Batko's 2020 NFL draft chat: 04.23.20

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DormontDirtbag

7:40

Juju, D. Johnson, J. Washington, and Jalen Raegor line up as WRs. Cam Akers as the lone RB. #7 at QB. Is there a better skill position lineup in the NFC North?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:40

Yeah but Akers won't last until 102. But you;re right. That would be a pretty nice setup for the offense.

SWVA Stiller

7:41

I love VWs ability to stuff the run and blitz but surely we will draft, trade for or sign a veteran FA to fill Barron’s role (or Edmunds’ if he takes Barrons spot)?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:42

I think so yes. Ulysees Gilbert is a possibility, but he ended his rookie season on IR with a back injury. And he only played special teams when he was healthy. Maybe they're waiting to see how the draft unfolds. If they can get a safety in Round 3 that can potentially start as a rookie then maybe they'd be inclined to move Edmunds into the hybrid role. Or maybe they'd like a hybrid in Round 3.

SWVA Stiller

7:43

First, I’m not on the Jalen Hurts to the Steelers bandwagon. I’ve seen multiple Dak comparisons. If I knew 100% he would be Dak 2.0 when BB retires in 2 years, I still wouldn’t take him in round 2 or 3. I say get weapons to try and send BB off with one more ring. Agree?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:44

I agree. There's just no way of knowing what Hurts will be in the NFL. Projecting QBs from today's college game to the NFL is so hard.

Here We Go

7:45

Which non-QB is the biggest faller in this year's draft? Who is the riser?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:47

Laviska Shenault from Colorado is a first-round talent but apparently there are some injury concerns. He could fall. (By the way, if he falls to 49 the Steelers should grab him. He's really good.). Really, anyone with an injury history or an injury that wasn't able to be fully evaluated by teams could fall. That's going to happen in this draft because teams don't have all the medical information they desire. As for risers, I keep hearing about Ezra Cleveland from Boise State getting into Round 1. I don't get it. I watched him. Decent prospect, but a lot of projection there.

James

7:48

I should have written this earlier, but thanks for doing this chat Ray. I appreciate your insight. The Leonard Fournette situation with Jacksonville has given talk show hosts lots of content over the past few days. What are your thoughts about the Steelers acquiring him?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:49

I'd rather get a back in this draft and have control of him for four years. But if they don't get the back they want then maybe they'd consider trading a late-round pick in 2021 to the Jaguars if they're willing to wait til next year to get their pick.

Here We Go

7:50

I forgot to thank you for the chat. This is much better than listening to the talking heads.

Cubby

7:50

Was it a mistake keeping Foster so long that we lost Finney?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:51

Honestly, I think they viewed Finney as a quality backup and nothing more. That's the way they treated him. They had a chance to sign him to a long-term deal when he was a RFA in 2018. But they went out and signed Foster to another deal. At that point the writing was on the wall for Finney.

Tampa Too

7:52

A little off topic but since the draft hasn’t started yet. What’s the latest on Ryan Shazier?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:52

Not much to update. He continues to rehab and the Steelers want him to continue to be a part of the organization.

Brian Batko

7:53

Hi everyone. Checking in from the Batko house. Wife is on a Zoom call with friends, I just poured a cold drink and lit a candle. Let's enjoy one of the great nights of the year for draft nerds.

7:54

Only mistake I made was not getting pizza for tonight. Might have to rectify that for Day 2 or 3.

pdxJaxon

7:54

I got my drink and am ready too BB - lets get it on

Chuck from Michigan

7:54

Steelers like and selected a lot of Big Ten players the last several years. Who from Big Ten do you like at RB/LB/OL with picks in Rounds 2/3/4?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:57

Jonathan Taylor from Wisconsin is a possibility in Round 2. Michigan has a lot of prospects that will go in those middle rounds. Josh Uche is a LB. I'm not sure how he'd fit into the Steelers defense though. He's kind of a tweener. Bredeson, the guard, is a possibility in the third round or after. Hudson from McKeesport is a late-round guy. Ohio State always has good prospects. They have a guard, Jonah Jackson, that should go in the middle rounds. Iowa has a few like Geon Stone (New Castle. He's a safety. That's a few off the top of my head.

Ratville

7:58

What happened to the Pats being punished for spying? I kept hearing the NFL was going to come down hard on them for spying again and all of the poof everything is appeared about that story?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:59

Definitely been quiet on that front. The punishment probably should have been a draft pick. Maybe they're waiting until the social distancing thing is over to issue their punishment. Or maybe there won't be one.

Clarence Johnson

7:59

What are your thoughts on the trade rumors with Juju? would you make a trade if the price was right?

Brian Batko

8:00

Clarence, that rumor was bunk from the get-go, as far as I can tell. It originated from an account called @nflrum0rs which I've never heard of, has no website and no track record. And yet, of course people ran with it and it got legs. Go figure. That's the Internet in 2020.

Ray Fittipaldo

8:00

JuJu is one of their top players on offense. They've always endured the loss of Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell the past two years. So no, I'm not entertaining that trade offer when I only have two years left with my franchise QB.

8:03

Nice opening to the telecast by Peyton Manning.

CD in SC

8:03

Why on earth do we still have Berry as our punter? There has to be a better one somewhere on this plant. Do you see them using a late round pick on one?

Ray Fittipaldo

8:04

No. Only six picks. Too many other needs to fill. They'll bring in an nudrafted free agent though.

8:05

Bengals, Dolphins, Patriots (maybe), Packers (maybe). Saints (maybe). Chargers (maybe). Raiders (maybe). There are probably others too.

Guest

8:05

The media over-hypes the QB's to create conflict and a story, do you really think 4 QB's will go in the first. Who will take them?

Ray Fittipaldo

8:05

Sorry, there is the question to previous answer.

Brian Batko

8:06

I'd just like to say "Chase Young" is an elite football name in my opinion.

And that Roger Goodell's apartment smells of rich mahogany.

Gambler

8:07

What will be the first trade?

Brian Batko

8:07

I kind of think there's going to be fewer trades this year given the uncertainty of doing it virtually, etc. Just a hunch but we'll see.

Ray Fittipaldo

8:08

Welcome Brian.

Gambler

8:09

The answer is Miami

Brian Batko

8:09

Get a load of this guy. Gambler answered is his own question.

DormontDirtbag

8:09

I remember when the draft was Pete Rozelle, a podium, and a few cameras. Now it's Peyton Manning (who by many accounts is a real tool away from the camera) reciting a bad, self-congratulating soliloquy. They make it harder every year to be an NFL fan. Am I wrong or just old?

Ray Fittipaldo

8:10

I'm old enough to remember when Super Bowls didn't have 45-minute halftime shows. Unfortunately, it's that way with all sports now. Everything is a big production.

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