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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.24.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
BPA among WR, RB or OT.
Steve
2:19
Seems like the org plans to ride or die with #7 behind center. Fine with me. So factoring in all of FA moves, what’s the most glaring position of need draft wise from your perspective?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I don't know if they have glaring needs after free agency. But as I've mentioned they have a need for a future starter at left tackle, a future starter at RB and a dynamic WR to fit into their WR rotation.
Hickster
2:20
Sticking with another offense question. Kiper has 7 WR’s going in the first round. Steelers need a deep threat. Doesn’t look like one will be there at their pick. If not I think we take best offense lineman available. Bound to have one slide .
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Most of the elite offensive linemen will be gone in the first round. They could have a shot at Isaiah Wilson. It would be ideal if Josh Jones fell that far, but I don't think he will.
BB
2:22
Ray - OTAs look to be in jeopardy...do you think training camps are far enough away that they may happen?  Is anyone thinking about a year without the NFL?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
Hard to say at this point. We're getting new information from the government every day. I can't see these leagues putting their player's in harm's way unless the outbreak is on the downturn and there is plenty of testing. Right now, we don't have either although professional athletes do seem to get tested whenever they want.
Gio
2:24
Could Steelers still take a TE in draft at any point if BPA or No Way after taking Ebron? Keep the Good Work You Guys ..
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
I feel like TE is no longer a draft need. Certainly not in the first three rounds.
Jacque Strap
2:25
Do you believe Skipper, Gilbert, and/or Adeniyi can step up into a major role next season? How high do they draft inside or outside LB?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
Good question. I can see them taking an OLB in the third or fourth round. I can see them going ILB in the fourth round or after. But it very well might be a situation where the Steelers have to count on GIlbert as the top backup at ILB and either Skipper or Adeniyi as the top backup at OLB.
Weegie Thompson
2:26
Afternoon Ray, I know a lot of local writers are calling for WR at pick 49, I saw that the Steelers met with Cam Ackers, so I watched his some of his highlights videos. This guy is slippery and could definitely improve the run game. Also, some of the pro and cons state he didn't have a great offensive line in Florida State. If the top 3 RB's are gone, do you pull the trigger for Acers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
I agree with you. I like Akers a lot too. And you are right about his offensive line. It wasn't very good. I'm not sure where he is on their board. Would he be rated better than Taylor, Dobbins or Edwards-Helaire? Maybe. He's a good back that will go in the second or third round.
Joe
2:28
Hi Ray - would the Steelers consider bringing back Barron and Chickillo at veteran’s minimums if that was the only market for these guys?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
I can see Barron more than Chickillo.
Melissa
2:28
It seems WR will be Best Value with our first pick, maybe even First RD Talent, Would you hesitate to go that Route in this case with our current group already on team and their remaining years left (juju)?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
You might be right about getting the best value at WR. This is a very good and very deep class. And when you talk about maximizing the final years of Ben, what better way to do it than by drafting a WR or RB at 49?
Joe
2:29
Hi Ray - with only 1 pick in the top 100, our 2020 team is really on the field at this point, no?  Healthy Ben or bust?  They don’t have the horses up front to transition to a running team and win with any consistency at this point.  There tackles are really good at pass pro, not road grinders.  Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
Well, you are improving at LG with Feiler or Wisniewski stepping in for Foster. Feiler can be a really good guard I think. Of course, the hope is Okorafor or Banner can be as good as Feiler at RT. That's no slam dunk. Feiler was more than capable out there. That's why I think they have to go offensive line relatively early in this draft. It's an important position, and as you noted, they have to try to ignite the running game. Feiler or Wisniewski at LG helps, but it's going to take more.
mrbig
2:32
With the 17 game  season  coming...  will that extra  game  be  at a neutral site?How will they pick the matchups?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
Nothing finalized yet, but it appears it will be all AFC home games one year and then all NFL home games the following year for the 17th game.
Matteo
2:33
Do you see the Steelers targeting a hybrid defender capable of replacing Mark Barron with their first or second pick in this draft? Is Tanner Muse a target in round 3?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
Well, I think Devin Bush will become a three-down linebacker this season, which lessens the need for that. But they do need to add quality depth in the event Bush is injured. Ulysees Gilbert is there, but he's never played a defensive snap. So yes, an ILB or hybrid safety is an option in the draft. Not sure if it will be as high as round 3, but it's in play.
Confined in Texas
2:35
With OL, FB and TE help now here and you project starting lineups (base and sub), the only hole is the Barron role. This can be filled with a mobile ILB or, like Barron was, a converted big S. It is also super critical in case of an injury to Bush. The only guy that fits this role on the current roster is Marcus Allen who has not shown much yet. Is there a FA you see that could fill this role? Are their any guys you like in the 2nd-4th round? They had dinner with a kid from Clemson that fits this role.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Gilbert is in that mold although he inexperienced. And I agree with you about Allen. Last year was a big year for him, and he spent most of it on the practice squad. They definitely need to add some talent and competition.
Dennis from NC
2:36
I see that vegas odds makers have us as an 11 win team on their O/U boards. Fair assessment?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
That might be a little high, but I definitely 10 wins is possible.
Adam
2:37
Hi Ray, how do you feel about the Steelers situation at nose tackle? With Big Dan as the only true nose on the roster, the Steelers would seemingly need to draft one high (or pay one in FA) in order to get a multi talented guy like Hargrave. It seems like they might be hesitant to do so as their base defense is used less and less. However, teams like Tennessee and Baltimore are sure to exploit our 3-4 if there isn't a legit nose on the roster. How would you handle it if it were up to you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
Maybe they keep McCullers or draft a run-stopping nose for teams like the Ravens and Titans. But really, as you noted, they play in sub-packages so often that they need versatile linemen more than noses. Wormley, Buggs and Alualu fit that description.
Matteo
2:38
Hi Ray, is Cam Akers a legitimate second round target for the team? If he’s available at 49 do you see them selecting him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
I definitely think he'll get drafted somewhere in that range. He's probably one of the top five backs along with Swift, Dobbins, Taylor and Edwards-Helaire. All depends on scheme fit and how the GMs view each player.
Matteo
2:39
How do you feel about Kyle Dugger as a second round target for the team? Could provide depth at safety/become the new hybrid linebacker
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
Really good player at Lenoire-Rhyne. He'll be a second- or third-round pick. Not sure the Steelers want to use their second-round pick on a safety, but he'd be a really good addition.
Vance
2:40
GM Ray: Who are your top three running backs in the draft based on the Steelers’ offense?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
Taylor, Akers and then any of the other three. I like them all, but I wonder about Edwards-Helaire being a three-down back due to his stature. Swift can be a three-down back, too, but he's not the biggest guy, either.
SteelerFan
2:41
Instead of drafting WR in round 2, why not consider drafting the top offensive lineman available who can actually pass and run block?  We need someone who can move the pile.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
I like it! It could happen, too.
AK
2:42
It seems like a lot to spend for a FB/ST....
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
They were paying Nix $2.1 a year or something like that, and he was oft-injured. Watt is durable (has never missed a game in four seasons) and he's good as a fullback and on special teams. I don't have a huge problem with it.
seferg
2:43
Ray, what improvement can we realistically expect in Mason Rudolph.  My biggest complaints with him is inaccuracy and pocket awareness.
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