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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.07.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Not a great fit for what they need, but he's a really good player.
The real guest
2:15
Ray, I see the Steelers first 5 picks as; OT, DE, CB, DT and OL/C. Given their history on CBs I hope I am wrong on the third pick. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
I think you need an OLB in there somewhere.
GPT
2:16
There was much complaining last year when the Steelers took Pickett at #20, with the belief they should have waited for the better QB class this year. Are the Steelers better off with Pickett than getting someone like Hendon Hooker or Tanner McKee this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Pickett still has a lot of room for improvement, but you saw some tangible growth late in the season in his leadership and ability to deliver under pressure late in games. What he did against the Ravens and Raiders isn't something that can be taught. Either you have that clutch gene in you or you don't. Again, it's early in his career, but he showed me something with those late drives. Now he has to get the Steelers in position so they're winning late in games and not always climbing back after slow starts.
Guest
2:18
Ray great work. Please tell me the Steelers will keep their needs straight and focus on the trenches in the upcoming draft.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
I think they will, but they could use a corner rather early too.
MG
2:18
If it's true that many teams may be projecting moving Peter Skoronski to guard (as they were speculating during the Combine coverage), then doesn't it become more likely that he could slip to the Steelers at 17?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Small chance. He's still considered the best lineman in this draft class. He's viewed as someone who will be really solid wherever he plays in the NFL.
Gene
2:19
Will the Steelers draft a WR or add one in FA or just do nothing?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
They'll sign one or draft one.
ChatGuy
2:20
A recent article from Gerry Dulac indicated that the Steelers' coaching staff was potentially the smallest in the entire league with as many as 10 or 12 fewer coaches than the biggest staffs. Do you think this is simply Coach Tomlin's preference to work from a smaller circle? Or do you think ownership is not willing to spend the extra $$ for the bigger staff?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
They've never had big staffs under any coach. And I think the Rooneys are willing to spend for the right coach such as Mike Munchak. I don't think they're keen on just hiring guys to make the staff bigger.
Boiler G Dog
2:21
Hi Ray. Hope you enjoyed yourself in Indy. Where do you see Jalen Carter landing after the charges were brought against him? I can’t believe he’ll fall to the 17th pick. If he does, would Pittsburgh write his name down? Just curious what your take is.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
I have a hard time seeing him slip out of the top 10, but I think we have to know the entire story of what happened that night in Georgia.
Adam T
2:22
Hey Ray, it's that time of year again where Steelers fans clamor for a beefy nose tackle to be added to the roster. There are a couple of those guys in this year's draft, but the Steelers just don't seem to be interested in that body type/skillset at this point. Do you think Jonathan Marshall has any chance to be given a shot next year? He became the forgotten man after being signed off the Jet's practice squad in December (to the lament of their fanbase), but he fits the mold for what the Steelers seem to want now and is a freakish athlete who had about as good of a pro day as humanly possible with a 9.99 relative athletic score.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
It's possible Marshall gets a shot this year. The whole nose tackle conundrum is tough to break down. They have a need for one, but their modle in recent years has been to get guys like Alualu who could slide out and play different positions in sub-packages. I'm not against a big nose tackle. And I'll point out Andy Weidl ran the draft board for the Eagles last year when Jordan Davis was their No. 1 pick.
Guest
2:24
That NFL player survey is damning. Art who is a billionaire only because he was born into wealth appears too cheap to invest in the program. Says a lot about his lack of character. What do you say Ray?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
The Steelers might have some investors are billionaires, but the Rooneys are not.
Javi
2:25
Hello Ray. How does the move by Steelers letting Dupree walk and sign with Titans look now? Pretty nice I would say. Overpaid and injury prone. That being said do Steelers bring him back on somewhat cheap deal? Is he worth a bring back deal?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
Sure, if the price is right.
Chris
2:28
Hi Ray...curious to get your thoughts about why the big TE from Georgia isnt getting more consideration from the Steelers at possibly 32? He's the best blocking TE coming out of college in years and has freak athleticism. He instantly improves run blocking with OLine and gives KP another mismatch target in the passing game. It may take a year or so but this kid has a chance to be a superstar at TE. With Muth already here couldn't the Steelers run formations like Patriots did with Gronk and Hernandez?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
I would view that as a luxury pick. Even if a guy like Washington earns more snaps than Gentry, how much can they Steelers utilize two-tight packages? You might be able to get Washington to play 55-60% of the snaps. Is that enough to warrant a pick at 32?
JP in Indy
2:30
Ray thanks for your hard work, including these chats!! Any surprise takeaways from the Combine? And did anything you saw change your vision of how the Steelers will approach the draft. I hope you enjoyed Indy!!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
I saw some very fast guys on defense, but they seem to get bigger, faster and stronger every year. Some guys improved their stock, but I left the combine thinking the Steelers had the same needs -- OL, DL and CB.
TexStill
2:31
All this combine did with respect to the Steelers is seem to maybe bring in a few more guys into the already large group of good, not elite, prospects in the 10-40+ range in positions they would be interested in: CB, DL-Edge, ILB. I think the Steelers have to be happy sitting at 17 and 32 and will have numerous GOOD choices at both spots. The talent grouping may even fall down to 49. Set up well for them, no?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
I agree. It's a deep draft at certain positions, including many where the Steelers have needs.
The steelers Fan
2:32
Jack Campbell would be a great choice for us at our first pick. What you think about that?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
At 17? Way too early.
Zack
2:34
How about signing Germaine Pratt or David Long to replace Bush?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
Can Pratt get along with Matt Canada?
Steve in Canton
2:34
Ray, do you see the Steelers taking a QB in the later rounds of this year's draft? (Maybe Max Duggan)
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
I think signing a free agent is more likely, but we'll see.
wiscoken
2:35
Ray - Are you surprised by the Lamar Jackson reports in the Ravens possibly letting him go?  With the value that is placed on having a franchise QB, if they let him go, it makes you wonder if they question his long term upside.  If you think you have one, how can you let one go?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Maybe they don't believe Lamar is that guy. And by that guy I mean someone who can lead them to a Super Bowl.
Kevin.
2:36
Hi Ray, are the Steelers looking to draft DT’s in the mold of Cam or more like Leal or Van Ness ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
Those big five techniques aren't as readily available as they used to be. I think in a perfect world you grab a guy with that body type, but the game is changing. The colleges are producing players of different shapes and sizes at a lot of positions. The Steelers and other teams have to adjust.
ABTennessee
2:37
Since Dan Moore has limited athleticism, is he a candidate to move to LG?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
Maybe, but he's never played left guard. Not every lineman is capable of playing different positions.
Carlo Gambino
2:38
Best fit to plug and play in this draft class  = John Michael Schmitz from  Minnesota. Also love Jack Campbell   LB from Iowa  and Brents, the CB from Kansas State. All are in play with 1st 3 picks, your thoughts  ?
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