JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's and Brian Batko's 2020 NFL draft chat: 04.24.20

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Ray Fittipaldo

6:12

Welcome to NFL Draft chat night II. Post your questions and I'll be back in a few to get things started.

BigBensBeard

6:16

name the 3 best defensive players yet to be drafted that would fit in with the Steelers.

Ray Fittipaldo

6:19

I guess I'd have to go with safeties and LBs because that's what the Steelers need IF they draft a defender at 49. So you still have Xavier McKinney of Alabama on the board. He'd fit in as a deep safety which in turn would allow Terrell Edmunds to transition to hybrid LB. Then you have a guy like Zac Baun of Wisconsin. He's a smaller edge type player, so I'm not sure how he'd fit in with the Steelers, but he's a really good player. Maybe you have to have a plan on how to utilize his talents. I just think it'd be hard to have him line up on the edge and rush the passer on most downs. Not sure he'd hold up agianst the bigger tackles he'll face in the NFL. Same goes for Josh Uche of Michigan, the LB from Michigan. Another safety is Grant Delpit from LSU. Same thing with McKinney. He'd play deep and let Edmunds move down.

Lil Petey

6:20

Akers, Taylor, Dobbins...who are you taking?

Ray Fittipaldo

6:20

If I'm ranking those three I'd go Taylor, Akers, Dobins, but I like all three. Taylor and Akers are faster so I think that's what the Steelers need in a back right now.

Drowins

6:21

If Dobbins is there at 49 he HAS to be the guy right? Even if other backs there? He can do it all. Grab receiver/OL in 3rd. What say you?

Ray Fittipaldo

6:21

As stated above, I have no problem with Dobbins. He's a good back.

Jacob Emerick

6:21

The Steelers only have 6 draft picks. Will it be enough to get the team into the Super Bowl conversation?

Ray Fittipaldo

6:22

If getting in the Super Bowl conversation means making it back to the playoffs then I say yes. I think they'll be one of the seven teams from the AFC in the tournament as long as Roethlisberger plays most of the season.

kett

6:23

hi Ray, might one of those edge pass rushers be there at 49, still a few good ones on the board

Ray Fittipaldo

6:23

If you mean Gorss-Matos and Epenesa maybe. But I don't view them as traditional 3-4 OLBs in the Steelers mold.

Dennis

6:24

any chance of trading up for Swift or Dobbins

Ray Fittipaldo

6:24

I doubt it unless it's only a few spots.

paullochrane@yahoo.com

6:25

ok phony, i mean poney, whats your pick for the draft, i know your always right, just like when you said duck was playing better than brady !!!!!

Ray Fittipaldo

6:25

Wrong station! Turn the dial to 93.7 The Fan. HAHAHA.

MS Steeler

6:26

I feel like there are so many good options in round 2 that everyone will be happy. What do you see as the best options in #?

Ray Fittipaldo

6:26

Best options at 49? I say go WR or RB.

Bob in TN

6:27

If the WR's are as good as advertised wouldn't it be smart to take the best RB first then get a WR in round 3?

Ray Fittipaldo

6:27

Remember they're picking at the end of round 3 -- pick 102. So you might be taking a chance if there is a run on receivers. But I see your point. You might be able to get a really good WR in Round 3 while you won't have the same opportunity with RBs.

Linebacker Lounge

6:28

I want an LB at 49.. Especially fill the Buck spot.. Logan Wilson!! Or Baum or Malik Harrison OLB depth.. RB / WR in 3rd if deep as they say.. Thoughts?

Ray Fittipaldo

6:29

Might be a little bit of a reach for Wilson or Harrison at 49. Baun is good,, but again, I'd like to know how they'll use him. He played on the edge quite a bit at Wisconsin.

Vincent Vega

6:30

Guessing there will be a run (ha ha) on backs to start round 2. Swift, Akers, Dobbins, and Taylor go quickly. Do the Steelers make a trade when there is still one left, or wait for a receiver?

Ray Fittipaldo

6:30

Enough depth at WR to sit tight and make a pick I think. By the way, I'd be surprised if Taylor, Akers, Dobbins and Swift are all gone by 49. That'd be an upset.

Tomservo

6:30

Don’t take RB. Hargrave/Barron gone. JuJu/Connor/AV/Bud/Hilton/Sutton all UFA next year. Trust Snell to replace Connor more than anyone they have replacing those guys. Save RB for next year.

Ray Fittipaldo

6:31

You are aware their running game ranked 29th and 31st the past two seasons, right? And it's not just yards per game, which can be misleading if you pass a lot. It's yards per carry. They're not a very good running team.

Vincent Vega

6:31

Really? I’ll be shocked if any of them are on the board at 49.

Ray Fittipaldo

6:32

Let's see how it plays out. I think at least one of those four will be on the board.

Jeff

6:32

Shenault vs Higgins vs Mims... who best fits Steelers?

Ray Fittipaldo

6:33

Shenault or Mims would be really nice fits. I'd find a way to make both work. Mims is more of the tall, fast deep threat while Shenault is a crafty slot guy that can also make some plays down the field. I like them both.

Tomservo

6:33

Caue they’re line can run block. Walter Payton can’t fix that.

Ray Fittipaldo

6:33

Le'Veon Bell seemed to do OK

Scott in Dallas

6:34

Good Evening!
Thanks for taking the questions.
I think the best thing in the second round would be Terrell Lewis, OLB, Alabama. Bud is gone after this season and TJ will need a new contract so it is imperative to get someone to groom to man the other side. Lewis has Elite athleticism and is a little raw but he can be a true game changer opposite TJ.

Ray Fittipaldo

6:34

I like Lewis, but in Round 3 or after.

Tomservo

6:34

OL was younger then and they had Munchak

Ray Fittipaldo

6:36

I'm not defending the line. They had a terrible year. I'm the one who has been writing they need to get younger. But six tackles went off the board. The best OT prospects are gone. So you take advantage of the value in the middle of the second round and take a RB or WR. (Only LT I'd take at 49 is Ezra Cleveland because I think he has potential to be a good player for a long time. But he's not ready yet).

Linebacker Lounge

6:36

True or False: RB at 49... Otherwise they won’t draft one? Thanks

Ray Fittipaldo

6:36

I lean true on that one.

Tomservo

6:36

And they had Bryant to take the top off the defense

Ray Fittipaldo

6:36

True. They definitely need a fast WR too.

Linebacker Lounge

6:37

If Kmet or Trautman is available at 49 will they pull the trigger? They say BPA... Will they walk the walk? Thanks!

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