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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.27.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
He was very good at the Senior Bowl. It's a very good year for tackles too so fans should keep that in mind. Could be between those two positions at pick No. 20.
Rock Daddeo
2:29
Lots of speculation on QB signings. What’s the chances we go with Pickett, Rudolph and a mid-round draft pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
Or Pickett, Tannell and a mid-/late-round pick.
Mike P.
2:31
Are you surprised the Steelers weren't able to get at least a little trade compensation (like a sixth or seventh) for any of the guys they've released? They got a sixth for Kendrick Green!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
Green wasn't making much $ on a rookie deal. Chuks, however, was making big $. That's the difference.
Tampa Too
2:31
Ray. If powers Johnson is available when the Steelers pick at 20 would you take him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
I'd think long and hard about it. He looks like he's going to be very good.
Steve in Canton
2:33
Why is Allen Robinson II and his 8-figure salary still on the roster?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
Relax. It won't be in a couple of weeks.
Pickett Line
2:33
Do you see any Drew Brees in Kenny Pickett? Size. Style. And could Art Smith be his Sean Payton?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
Brees was shorter but had much better pocket presence and accuracy. I think that's Smith's biggest challenge. Can he get Pickett to climb the pocket rather than bail from it? And can he improve his ability to read the field and his accuracy. It's a big task. Seems like the Steelers wasted two years of his development with an unqualified OC, if you ask me.
Billy H
2:34
Do you think the Steelers will draft Jackson Powers-Johnson, Zach Frazier, or Sedrick Van Pran in the first or second round?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Or Graham Barton. I think landing one of those four seems like a decent bet at this point. But it all depends on when they come off the board. The Steelers will have these guys ranked on their board and they won't reach for a player.
Steve in Canton
2:36
Will the Steelers jettison ILB Cole Holcomb and his shaky knees when the time is right? Can't believe they brought him in last year when he was already hurt.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
Separate injuries. He was coming off foot surgery. Then he had a freak knee injury after he started the season off really well. As for his contract and place on the roster, we have ti hear from the Steelers on his rehab before I can give you any insight.
Jim_Bow_Dean
2:39
If Powers-Johnson, Latham, and DeJean are all available at 20 who are you taking? That is my preferred order.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
Slight edge to Latham over JPJ.
But I don't think Latham will be there at 20.
Iron City Beach
2:39
When will the Steelers pick up Najee Harris 5th year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
They don't have to make that decision until the first week of May.
Steve in Canton
2:41
Where's your favorite place to eat in Indy? I think Tony Grossi fancies a certain Italian eatery downtown.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
Iaria's. That's where we are headed tonight.
Steve in Canton
2:42
You have a mock draft coming out later this week, right?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
Next week. After the combine.
Iron City Beach
2:42
Can assistant coaches attend the combine and will Arthur Smith be there?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
They can and I suspect Smith will be here at some point, yes. But I haven't heard one way or the other.
Stash
2:43
Ray, just curious, Dermontti or Maurkice, if you had to choose, and why?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
I'd saw Dawson because he played longer and was able to stay healthy for the most part. Pouncey had two seasons wiped out by injuries and he wasn't the same player late in his career. But he was excellent for a long time.
NC Bruin
2:45
Ray, thanks for the chat. I noted that the Steelers released their long term strength and conditioning leadership. I know that this position is critical to team culture in college, maybe less so in the pros with individual trainers. What is your take on this change?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
I thought the previous staff was good for a long time. Sometimes teams make a change for the sake of making a change.
Steve in Canton
2:46
Bigger draft need - third-string QB or 4th or 5th WR?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
4th or 5th WR.
James Ryan
2:46
When will Arthur Smith have to speak to the media?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
May during OTAs.
Stash
2:46
Ray, now that the Steelers brass finally drafted a good CB, are they feeling cocky enough to give it another whirl?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
Given the numbers in the CB room they probably have to.
LarryG from Punxy
2:47
Since there doesn't appear to be good depth at DL this draft, I think we go OL with our first 2 picks; Mims from Georgia or Latham from Bama in R1, and then get our C in R2...that Frazier kid from WVU.  With his injury, I'm hoping he lasts that long.  What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:48
I don't think Latham will be there, but Mims might be. JPJ too. And that might be wishful thinking with Frazier. If he proves he's well along in his rehab he could be a late pick in the first round or early in the second round.
Steve in Canton
2:49
Is Iowa CB Cooper DeJean participating in the combine? I see his name in a lot of mock drafts for the Steelers at #20.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
He's here for interviews but not doing drills.
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