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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.23.21
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Marty Jupiter FL
2:24
Hi Ray. How about the Steelers kicking the tires on OT Wilson who was released by the Dolphins
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
Good grief. He doesn't want to play. Isn't it obvious? The Dolphins traded for him a week or two ago and they already released him. Maybe if he gets help or demonstrates he wants to play again, but definitely not now.
Hopeful
2:25
In 5 of the 6 Super Bowls the Steelers won, we had a running back drafted in the first round and Fast Willie Parker was a great compliment in two of those wins.  We MUST draft a top running back in the first round and then a mauling OT in the second round if there are any hopes of doing well in 2021.  What are the odds this happens?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
Odds are pretty good of getting Etienne or Harris, or maybe Williams in the first round if they have him graded that high. As far as a mauling RT goes that's a bit harder to find in Round 2. This is a deep draft for tackles, but the best ones will be gone in Round 1.
If you're looking to take a chance on a tackle in the middle rounds though look no further than James Hudson from Cincinnati. Lots of upside, but he is raw. Probably goes in Round 3.
LP
2:28
Ray top 51 is correct $11M under cap. They restructure 91thay can be at $16M. Cant see why we cant sign a couple decent mid level guys.. Ie Fournette and a CB or LT
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
Thanks for the update LP.
STEEL72
2:28
In Nelson, we had a lunch pail guy who got the job done better than it had and it brought stability to our squad. I understand there's money concerns, but we seem to lose the wrong guys... guys with motors, no off-field stuff, and who solved problems. Hilton/Nelson will haunt us, won't they?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
Depends upon what happens in the draft. I think they have confidence in Cam Sutton to be part of the solution. Not sure yet if he's going to be outside or inside. And unless they believe Justin Layne or James Pierre is ready for a starting role they pretty much have to draft a CB to play in the slot or outside.
Guest
2:29
is conner going to be released?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
He's a free agent. Bit of a cool market for him.
SOCAL21
2:30
Might Nelson decide to take a pay cut, once he checks around the league, and find no takers
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
Seems like if there was common ground on that it would have happened quietly rather than the bad ending we witnessed.
GrahamC
2:31
Hey Ray thanks always for the insight.  Say Trey Lance or one of the other top QBs falls to within 10 picks or less to the Steelers like at 14.  Does this give the Steelers enough incentive to make a trade like they did for Devin Bush a few years ago, or would a guy like that have to just be there at 24?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
They have so many other needs to fill I'm not sure it would be wise to trade up 10 spots for a QB.
Polovtsian Dance No.2 by Borodin
2:32
So you don't think Hunter Long BC TE has adequate or upside blocking potential at this point... rd. 4 ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
Round 4 is about right for Long. Good receiver, not much of a blocker. I'd say he's adequate as a blocker. Not really known for it. He's a mid-round pick for his abilities in the passing game. Let's put it that way.
Nate
2:33
Hi Ray, thanks for the chats!  Hypothetical: if one of the projected top OT's falls to #24 like Slater, would you take him over one of the 3 top RBs
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
In a heartbeat, but Slater will be gone much before that.
TheStandard
2:34
Can the Steelers find a cornerback in round 1 or 2 who will play better than Nelson or Hilton?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Sure they can, but do you want them to make that pick given their history drafting CBs? How about a guy like Jaycee Horn at No. 24. He's from South Carolina and the son of former Saints WR Joe Horn. He might be there at 24. But again, lots of Steelers fans would be cringing if they made that pick. Not because of Horn but because of the Steelers missing so often in other years on CBs.
Lenny from NY
2:36
Got another one Ray. If Tomlin is supposed to be such a great DB coach, why has he struggled HORRIBLY with his DB picks?Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
Great question. Other than Artie Burns they haven't taken a lot of CBs high in the draft. Golson was a second round pick, but he was injured. Whatever is going on with their scouting and development it's obvious they're much better at identifying those players once they're in the league rather than when they come out of college.
Scott from Erie
2:37
With the release of Vince Williams and the retirement of Vance McDonald...re-signing Avery Williamson and bringing Jesse James back seem like the most obvious moves. Do you have any insight into whether there is actual interest on the Steelers part? Is this year's draft class considered strong for tight ends and inside linebackers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
Pretty good for ILbs and not deep at all for TEs. So I could see Jesse James happening. I could see Williamson happening too if the price is right.
Utah Jim
2:39
I assumed this would an offense heavy draft and it still may be at the top. However, with all the starters they lost of defense could we see a lot more picks on that side of the ball?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
Eight picks total and right now I would not be surprised if they used four on offense and four on defense.
Chuck from Michigan
2:40
Steelers staff/scouts have been terrible forever drafting cornerbacks.  Steelers also covet Big Ten players.  Why don't they just target three to five CB's from Big Ten schools and fill out their draft board to get good/young talent at CB position in rounds 3-7?  Shaun Wade (Ohio State), Greg Newsome (Northwestern), and Ambry Thomas (Michigan) are all solid prospects?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
Of that group, Newsome is going to go earliest. He's a first- or second-round pick. Wade likely middle or later round. Not sure about Thomas.
Doyle37
2:42
Is a 17 game schedule just for this year or will it continue? If it's a one year deal, how do they decide which team gets the home game?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
It would be the new normal. Until, of course, they go to 18 games. And they're talking about rotating by conference. So one year AFC and the next NFC. But nothing is final. Owner's meeting is coming up and we'll know soon.
Utah Jim
2:43
With the quality and quantity of wide receivers entering the NFL every year will the position become devalued like running backs, albeit for somewhat different reasons. Unless a player is really special, why give a massive second contract when capable, and cheaper, replacements are plentiful.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
I'm writing a story about that as we speak. Should be up at post-gazette.com in the next day or two.
Gene
2:43
It seems like CB is going to be a draft pick or free agent priority. Your thoughts please.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
Absolutely. They need depth and competition there after losing Hilton and Nelson.
Eddy Bou
2:44
Ray, what are the chances that the Steelers go ILB/RB/C in the first three rounds?  Would CB trump one of these or do they believe in Layne or Pierre?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
Not sure ILB in Round 1. I still think RB or OT. Great question about Pierre and Layne. There's not much to go on, is there? Very little tape to make a determination on either. Leap of faith for sure, which makes me think they'll add to the group in the draft or free agency.
Polovtsian Dance No.2 by Borodin
2:46
What about Tommy Tremble TE from ND?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
I mentioned him earlier. Very good blocker. Good athlete that wasn't asked to do much as a receiver for the Irish. Some projection there. You'd have to hope he comes as around as a receiving threat. Probably a Round 3 type of pick. But if you're looking to improve your running game he'd be a good option.
TheStandard
2:47
Is the line better from a running the ball standpoint right now compared to last year?
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