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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.16.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:52
Welcome to the chat. Let's get started.
21-58-66
1:52
Ray - Are the Steelers done addressing the center position, or do you think they may take one in the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
The Finney deal is only for one year. Right now, it gives them some insurance at the position and it doesn't force them to reach for a center in the draft. I still see them adding a center this offseason. It could be in the draft. Maybe Creed Humphrey if he's there in the second round. Maybe Landon Dickerson if he falls to them in Round 2. But it's not a deep center class, which is why another free agent signing could be in the offing.
AAK
1:54
Mr. Fittipaldi,  At what point do you see the Steelers investing in the defensive line? 2022?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
If they re-sign Tyson Alualu I don't think you'll see them address the D-line until the middle or later rounds of the draft. But your point about getting younger on the D-line is well-taken. That is an aging group. It's a lot like the O-line was a couple of years ago -- very talented but starting to get a little long in the tooth. The Steelers would be smart not to make the same mistake with this group. As for this draft, it is not a great class of defensive linemen in this draft.
Kyle
1:57
So the first surge of free agency is winding down.  Are there any specific 2nd/3rd level free agents the Steelers may be interested in?  Especially at TE.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Yeah I've written about this. Before free agency started I thought center and tight end were their top two priorities. They signed Finney. Now let's see what they do about TE. Not a lot of money left under the cap. They might have to make some more moves to add anyone else of significance.
Jacque Strap
1:58
According to the Sports Business Journal, the NFL 'only' made 12 billion last year, down from 16 billion the year prior. You would think Roger Dodger could have found a way to at least keep the cap flat. You know, since he cares so much about the players...
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
The NFL and NFLPA negotiated the cap. I do know they borrowed against the future some. It could have been much lower if they had not done that. I'm not sure who's to blame for the $182.5 number, but it was a joint effort between the league and the union. The NFL could not just arbitrarily set the number.
Gino
2:00
So anything on Steeler free agents? anything on any new signings??
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Nothing new today... as of 2 p.m., but it's early. The WR market is particularly slow. Not great for JuJu Smith-Schuster and others hoping to hit it big.
Gino
2:00
is it cheaper for the Steelers, the longer a free agent is out there?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
That's usually the way it works. The big money deals get done first and then it trickles down from there.
21-58-66
2:01
Ray - Do you think there is any truth to the rumor that Zach Banner and the Steelers have a new deal in place?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. He's a cheaper option, which is what they need to fill out their O-line.
MrCJJr
2:02
Hello Ray, thanks for the chat. Does the choice not to re-sign Feiler (which surprised me) indicate that the Steelers are leaning towards re-signing Banner and/or increases the need to draft a tackle? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
Even if they sign Banner I still think they're drafting a tackle and probably in the first couple of rounds. It's a good year to get a tackle in the draft.
2:04
And Brian Batko just informed me Tyson Alualu is headed back to Jacksonville so maybe DL is now a free agent priority.
Jeff
2:04
Thanks for the chats Ray.  Good to see Dupree get his payday.  the great thing about having two effective edge rushers is you can't key in on just one and difficult to double both.  Any sleeper rushers that can give Highsmith some competition?  i thought he did well and will get better but it took Dupree 3.5 years, cant afford that learning timetable
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
OLB is definitely a priority this offseason. They need to get a solid backup in place behind Watt and Highsmith. Not sure they'll draft one high, but they will add one this offseason.
TPHunter
2:06
Hi Ray. If this draft is as deep in OL as they say, why the rush to pick one at No.1? Get a game-breaker at RB, at TE or even OLB and then get the lineman at No.2. How many OLinemen really are impact players?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
Lots of linemen are impact players. That's how you build your teams -- from the inside out. The Steelers did it with Pouncey and DeCastro in 2010 and 2012. They were first-round picks and turned into All-Pros.
Guest
2:07
Hi there-I'm usually pretty agreeable to most moves by the Steelers but I'm disappointed if they bring back Ebron. To me, he was exactly what the Indy brass said when they laughed about him leaving...Good riddance. If it was just about talent, no problem, but that guy won't put his nose in a pile, won't, not can't, block, drops the ball, makes a lot of money and can't quit whining. AND HE'S NOT A TE for those who will say they don't have any other TE's. He's a big receiver that's not very good and as the team slipped, he went right with it instead of stepping up. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
I agree with your assessment of Ebron. Everything you wrote was pretty accurate, but he's the only TE on the roster with significant NFL experience. They need someone to play the position. If they cut Ebron they'd be forced to draft a TE early, and this is not a deep draft for TEs. And you've seen the top TEs in free agency already sign. I think they all signed with New England. LOL.
Bob in TN
2:09
I get all the concern about losing Bud but I also think too many people are selling Highsmith short.  He was not too bad as a starter.  Do you see him being comparable with Dupree in a few years?  And NO, not a Titans fan...
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Not sure about that. We'll have to wait and see. Dupree always had the tools. It just took him a while to figure it out. Highsmith is different. He's not as gifted athletically. However, he has other tools that might allow him to be a solid starter. But make no mistake, he's not in Dupree's class as an athlete. There is a reason Dupree was a first-round pick and Highsmith a third-round pick.
Guest
2:11
After Ben retires, are we in for another 'dark age' as we experienced after Bradshaw retired? After all, it is not like we can order up another franchise QB from Giant Eagle, right? We're as likely to get another Mark Malone as we are another Ben/Terry.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Or Bubby Brister. Or Neil O'Donnell. Or Kordell Stewart. You're right. It might take some time. But maybe there will be other options in free agency or trades as well.
Set-Man Steeler
2:12
I think the loss of Dupree cannot be understated, regardless of how long it took him to get to this level. His injury coincided with their slide, not to say that was the only reason. Having an elite pass rusher on the opposite side opens things up for the whole defense. Hoping Highsmith can be that guy but do you think the Steelers would pull the  trigger on a edge rusher in the first round?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
I doubt in the first round, but they definitely need to add some depth there.
MD
2:13
There is a seemingly a lot of consternation over the probable loss of Mike Hilton.  Isn't Hilton really a 180 lb edge rusher who can't cover?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
He can cover. It's just not his strong suit. I think that's why they signed Cam Sutton. Hilton is great off the edge as a blitzer and is good in run support. But he is by definition a corner and those guys need to cover.
TexStill
2:14
Do  you think Bill B will be able to blend all his new shiny toys into a good team on the field? Gonna be interesting to say the least.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
I'll be interested to see. We always make fun of Cleveland and the Jets for overspending in free agency. Lots of people singing the praises of Belichick, but I'm with you. I'll wait and see if these moves actually mean more wins on the field.
Adam T
2:15
Hey Ray, with the Patriot's recent free agency splurge they now have two of the highest paid tight ends in the league. It goes without saying that those guys will eat up the vast majority of the snaps, leaving their two recent third round picks, Dalton Keene and Devin Asiasi, fighting to make the roster. Do you think the Steelers would be wise to try and flip a later round pick for one of them? Or do you think it's more likely they try and get Jesse James back? This tight end draft class really looks pretty weak beyond a guy or two at the top.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
I really liked Dalton Keene coming out of Virginia Tech. I'd trade a sixth- or seventh-round pick for him if they don't have any use for him any longer. He could block in college. That's what they need in their No. 2 TE. As for signing James again, it's something the Steelers have done in the past. Heck, they did it just last week with BJ Finney. They like to know what they're getting in free agents, and they know exactly what James is.
Javi
2:18
Hello Ray. If the big 3 running backs are available at 24 do the Steelers fill another void and hope to land one of those guys in 2nd round? Or too risky because they might not be available 2nd pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
Might be risky considering there are only three top guys, as you mentioned. That would be a roll of the dice.
DaquidoBazzini
2:18
With the buzz building on RB Javonte Williams, can you now potentially see him at #24?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Some believe he's put himself in the conversation for the first round. All depends on what flavor of back Matt Canada would like. I know Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network is going to move him ahead of Najee Harris when he does his next top 50 list. He compared Williams to Nick Chubb, who was an early second-round pick of the Browns. When I watched Williams at UNC he reminded me of Ray Rice, who was a very good back for the Ravens until off-field issues ruined his career.
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