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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.24.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Good afternoon. Let's get the chat started.
Stairway to seventh seed
11:58
Ray: I have seen Georgia Tech Guard Keylan Rutledge mocked to the Steelers in the 3rd round and they did bring him in for a visit, but I have also seen him mocked in the early 2nd round and ranked #44.  With the signing of Hoffman, do you think Rutledge is still a target and what round do you think it would take to get him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
This is the type of draft where there won't be a lot of difference in how teams rank guys in the second or third round. So some guys you see in the second will fall to the third and vice versa. It's just going to depend on how the individual teams rank these guys on their board. This is a depth draft. Good prospects, but it's not projected as the type of draft that's going to produce superstars. Of course, much of that has to do with the lack of top QB prospects, but it also applies to other positions.
Bob
12:00
Now that we signed Brock Hoffman to replace Semealu along with the Pittman, Brisker, Dowdle etc can the Steelers now draft best player available?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
I wouldn't say Hoffman was signed to replace Seumalo. I think the leader in the clubhouse (before the draft) is Spencer Anderson. Honestly, Hoffman might be competing with Ryan McCollum for a roster spot as the top interior backup at center and guard. But we'll see how camp unfolds. To answer your question, yes with those other moves they are set up to draft the best player available at certain positions (in my opinion, guard, safety and receiver).
Lab in Whitney
12:02
Thanks for all of the great work Ray. A personal question if you don't mind - all of your fans really enjoy your work here and on the radio.  Where are we going to be able to find you after May? We NEED our "Ray F Steelers fix" !!    ... and a Steelers' question - does Roman Wilson make the team this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
Yes Roman Wilson will make the team this year. The coaches want to develop him... As for your other query, hopefully I can answer that soon. Like everyone else, I'd like to know ha ha.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:03
Ray: are you souring on this WR class at all?  Tate ran a slow time.  Lemon is reported to have had strange interviews.   Tyson has injury concerns.  Concepcion had 7 drops last year. Cooper padded his stats with 207 yards and 4 TDs vs Indiana State.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
My favorite has always been Tyson and I haven't soured on him. I don't have the medical information the teams have, but I like him best. It does seem like the receivers are falling a bit in some of these mock drafts. We'll see how it plays out. Maybe one goes in the top 10 and then there is a run on the others shortly thereafter. Or maybe the first one is drafted at 12 or 15 and the Steelers have their pick of two or three guys in that spot at 21.
chuck Mac
12:05
What is your % call on ARod returning to Steelers.  If he doesn't return - please tell us you don't see something other than Will Howard/Mason as the 2 main QB's. Hate to see us go to the dumpster pile!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
This is an educated guess, but I'm at 80% he'll come back. And if he does retire then I think Will Howard would be competing for the starting job with Rudolph and maybe another veteran, but honestly who's left out there who would seriously challenge either?
Stairway to seventh seed
12:06
Ray: do you think the recent more positive reports on Brod Jones's health are a smokescreen and they are looking at tackle in round 1?  Jones wasn't that good anyway and with Hoffman in the fold, Guard seems like less of a need.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
As I wrote above, I don't view Hoffman as a slam dunk starter over Anderson. They might draft a guard in the first three rounds too. That rookie would be part of the competition if he's taken that high. Obviously, the two veterans would have an advantage, but anyone they take on the first two days of the draft would be competing for time.
Jim Bow Dean
12:08
I’ve read in several places that they should not draft a QB because you can’t develop two at the same time. Normally they may be true, but if Aaron comes back how many snaps in McCarthy’s office does he need? There should be plenty to go around.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
I disagree with that. As long as you don't have your future starting QB you might as well take as many bites at the apple as you can.
Jim Bow Dean
12:08
In Tomlin’s 19 seasons only 3 times did an insider linebacker make a pro bowl. Timmons once and Shazier twice. Shazier probably would have made more, but still isn’t that ridiculously low? Maybe what Tomlin was asking the linebackers to do was the problem and not the players.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
I guess we'll find out, but inside linebacker in today's NFL is one of the most difficult positions to play. You have to be athletic enough to cover TEs and RBs an even WRs on occasion. On top of that, you have to be big and strong enough to be effective against the run, which means taking on blocks and getting a little dirty.
artie bridge
12:10
Hi Ray.  How do you assess Patrick Queen's play in his two years with the Steelers?  Seems to me he hasn't lived up to his hype or salary.  What do you think he could command in a trade?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
First off, I don't get the sense the Steelers want to trade Patrick Queen. Whenever you sign someone to a big money deal there are expectations. I don't believe he's lived up to the contract, but he's been OK. He improved from year 1 to year 2. Unfortunately for him,, now he's learning a new system and new coaches. Everyone is, but I think it's especially challenging when you're the quarterback of the defense and the hub of communication.
Paolo
12:12
Where would Will Howard rank in this years QB class?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
I get this question every week and I never published it because it's so hard to say. Maybe he'd be a Day 2 pick this year rather than a Day 3 pick. But does it really matter? He's here, the Steelers like him, and he's going to be developed.
Bob
12:13
Any chance Steelers plug Proctor in at LG in 26 and LT in 27?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
I'm not sure how the dominoes would fall,  but rest assured if they draft an offensive lineman in the first round that player will have a real opportunity to start early.
Rick Woods
12:14
Ray, I don’t understand all the Drew Allar hate from fans. I think he’s exactly the type of QB pick the Steelers are looking for in this draft. Excellent physical traits, played at a big school against top tier talent, projected first round pick that fell down the draft boards because of an injury and poor senior year performance, available in the 3rd or 4th round where they have multiple extra picks. What’s not to like with that scenario? Low risk, high reward pick. Am I wrong?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
You're not wrong. QB might be the play with one of those three third-round picks. Allar is an interesting prospect. He never performed well in big games. That's really concerning for me because an NFL starter should be able to elevate the play of those around him. Allar wasn't able to do that. But there are questions about how well he was coached, the style of offense, the play-calling, the receivers he worked with. I get the big picture. In the end, I think some team will roll the dice on him on Day 2. He has too many traits you cannot teach.
Bob
12:16
Greg Lloyd or James Harrison
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
James Harrison. I'm not even sure it's a debate.
Tampa Too
12:16
Ray. How many more mock drafts are you going to do for the Steelers prior to the actual draft next month?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
Just one more. Will wait until the pro days are over and then I'll do my final one.
Pistol33
12:17
Thanks for the chats Ray!! If they pick a QB who's your prediction they select and what round ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
My educated guess is third round based on the players they've had in for visits and the guys they had formal interviews with at the combine. I'd just be guessing on who.
Jerry
12:18
Do you think Chris Boswell and the Steelers will soon get an extension done? Thanks Ray
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
I'm not sure about the soon part, but they'll sign him before the season starts.
Darnell
12:18
Hello Ray.  I’ve heard Denver may be willing to trade Mims after acquiring Waddle.  Do you think there is any truth to this and if so, what might the Steelers need to give up to get him?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
They should see what happens in the draft before they make any more trades. This is a good draft for receivers.
Chill Dave
12:19
Hi Ray, if the top two safeties, top three WRs, and the PSU guard were all off the board, who would you take of these four:  Cooper Jr., Boston, Concepcion, McNeill-Warren?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
Boston or McNeil-Warren. I think Boston would be the best receiver on the board at that point. They can figure out how to use those guys. Just get the best player. McNeil-Warren is a playmaking safety with versatility who would fit nicely into the defense as well.
Chill Dave
12:21
Hi Ray,  assuming what we assume about the 2027 draft, would you trade this year's 1st round pick straight up for a 1st rounder in next year's draft (assuming a willing trade partner, of course)?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
No. Too much unknown there. That pick could be No. 32 or 27. They're picking at 21 this year. It's interesting. There is a belief in the analytics community that future draft picks are overrated, but there are a lot of teams like the Steelers who are QB-needy who will be looking to amass draft capital next year. Going to be fun to see what happens.
MikeM65 in Florida
12:23
It's been a few years since Johnston has been a good punter and to me Waitman seemed to be at least average.  Why risk Johnston when Waitman was a restricted free agent?
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