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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.24.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
Johnston was their guy before the injury. Maybe he's fully recovered and they believe in his ability a little more than Waitman.
Linus
12:24
What is your opinion of the new Steelers’ coaching staff and how would you rate it on a scale of 1 to 10?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
Generally I like the staff, but let's wait to see what they do in actual games!
Chris O., Glassport
12:24
Thanks for your chats Ray.  I saw one mock draft in which the Steelers take Kenyon Sadiq.  How far up would the Steelers need to move up if they had the chance to get him?  I’d be surprised if he was available at pick #21.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
I can't see them taking a TE in Round 1.
CG
12:25
Hi Ray, what helps Rodgers the most for the coming season as the Steelers first pick. a left guard, a slot wide receiver, or a defensive stud that helps the defense get off the field on 3rd downs?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
Probably a receiver given the current stare of the room.
Michael
12:26
Ray, is a middle linebacker a black horse pick in the 2nd / 3 rd round?  Assuming Queen is not extended and Wilson remains one dimensional, 2026 looks bleak at that position.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
Yes it is. They had Jacob Rodriguez in last week. They've been focused on some other ILBs too.
Greg
12:26
Could Ioane be our next David DeCastro? He's a total brick wall and fills our biggest hole on the line. I'd much rather spend the 1st rounder on a sure thing in the trenches that gamble on another project. What are the odds he actually falls to us at 21?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
I don't know if he'll be there at 21, but the Steelers will definitely consider him if he is. He's the best pure guard prospect in this draft.
ralph
12:27
Since all options are open on what position we should draft, i think, out of left field, pick Sonny Styles, if available. He is a difference maker on every defensive play . Just saying .
Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
I'd be OK with that, but I doubt he falls all the way to 21. I saw one recent mock had him going to the Bengals at No. 10. I've seen some others with him going earlier.
Swannie88
12:28
Hi Ray - WR high in the draft is a must, right?  If Pittman or DK goes down, it is deja vu all over again. What do you think? Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
Yes, almost certainly in the first two rounds.
Wiscoken
12:29
Hi Ray - What is it that makes scouting college QB's so much more difficult than other positions?  No other position carries as much risk (and high failure rate) as QB. First round draft pick failures rates remain very high, and even with all the modern advanced analytics, the scouting and draft failure rates remain staggeringly high.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
I think the main issue is the colleges do their own thing with their offenses. There are not many college teams running pro-style offenses. You can project, but you don't know how they'll operate in an NFL-style offense.
Arthur not Art
12:30
Have you had enough exposure to McCarthy to get a feel for the differences between him and Tomlin and if they will change how veterans and younger players are managed and developed?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
I have not. Without the rhythm of practices and seeing him in his element I don't have an opinion just yet.
Dj
12:31
Jalen Ramsey is set to make $19.5 million this year, next year that rises to $21.7 million. At this stage of his career and based off his play last year I was surprised they brought him back. He did not play like a top CB and at safety there seemed to be a lot of broken plays. Was the blown coverage due to communication issues and do you think his play will elevate under Graham?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
I know the new staff is excited to work with him. They believe he'll be a big part of what they do on defense. Just how he's deployed we'll have to wait and see.
Rob in CT
12:32
Regarding Allar, I Googled greatest QB's from Penn State.  #1 was Kerry Collins.  PSU is known for LB's but not QB's.  Allar didn't have much with WR's I've heard.  I'd roll the dice in Round 3.  What do you think?  Thx
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
I would not be opposed to that.
Arthur not Art
12:33
When do you think they take a TE? If it's in the 3rd or 4th, who do you think they target?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
I think third or fourth round is a solid spot to address TE. They have their pas-catching TE in Freiermuth and their run blocker in Washington. Whomever they get should be able to do both.
Greg
12:33
What's your guess on how much Washington plays this year vs last year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
Interesting question. I do think Arthur Smith really valued Washington and what he brought to his offense. Brian Angelichio is a former TEs coach wo maybe that bodes well for Washington, but we really won't know until we get to camp and see what their plans are. I do know this: They signed Freiermuth to a big contract. I think there is a desire within that building to get more production from him, and that might mean a slightly reduced role for Washington.
BAB
12:35
Same question I asked Gerry last week. His answer was interesting. I asked what was Mike McCarthy’s experience developing a raw quarterback. Gerry replied, not verbatim: he has never really developed a raw quarterback. What are your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
I mean, he's right. He went from Favre to Rodgers to Prescott. Other than when Rodgers was injured and a backup had to play we really didn't get to see McCarthy working with a developmental QB for a long stretch.
Realist
12:37
I would like to see the Steelers draft a playmaking safety.  I believe that position is undervalued.  A true playmaking safety can make a huge difference.  I saw you had the S from Oregon in your mock.  Will they need to trade up to get him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
I agree with you. He might be there at 21. You never know, but I almost always see him gone before 21 in the mocks I see online.
Steeler Joe
12:37
Regarding trading picks for next year: Everyone assume THIS year was going to be a hot one for QBs, too. I'd never assume such a thing. It's dangerous.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
True, but you also have to trust your scouts who are out there watching these guys from August until January. If they tell you 2027 is going to be a really good class you have to listen to them. I understand what happened this past season, but I think that was a bit unusual.
Gretta
12:39
What are we to make of all the photos released of Roger’s and Howard seemingly inseparable (or so we have been lead to believe) at a charity event they both participated in last weekend?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
I know Rodgers thinks very highly of Howard and that he'll do whatever he can to help him. Beyond that, I would not read too much into any photos of the two.
Al Tuna
12:40
With 12 draft picks, the Steelers were positioning themselves to draft a QB from a deep class that proved to be underwhelming. I hope the fact the draft is being held in Pittsburgh doesn't factor into their picks. They have an opportunity to strengthen there roster by picking the best available atheletes and should do so.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
I think they will do that, Tuna. I don't think they will reach for a QB. They just did that with Kenny Pickett.
Steel Russel
12:41
Does the uncertainty, that Mike provided in his interview yesterday. make it time to investigate a cheap option like anthony richardson?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
I don't think so.
Ryan
12:42
Good afternoon Ray what do you think about the signing of Jaquan brisker i think it was a good signing because he’s from Gateway high school
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