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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.26.24
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Steve in Canton
2:34
Any notable college players coming to Pitt for pre-draft visits this week?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Nothing yesterday or today because Tomlin and the front office is in Orlando for the owner's meetings. But they'll be back tomorrow so you could see some guys coming in later in the week.
obxandy
2:36
Ray,    Any team have a decent surplus RT that wants to trade for a veteran LT (Dan Moore)? Lets make a deal!   Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
Not sure you'd get much more than a Day 3 (and likely late Day 3) pick for Moore.
SMF
2:37
Hi Ray:  Thanks for the chats.  The DL has been off the radar since FA started.  Are they really going with last years group and not re-negotiating Cam Heyward’s big cap hit again?  Even the first 2 draft picks have avoided DL rumors.  Both Ogunjobi and Heyward are unlikely to play 17 games due to injury. New guy Lowry is a backup.  What’s your take?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
They could still do something with Heyward's contract, and I think they'll draft a DL, but it's hard to say when because it's not a terribly deep class.
Steve in Canton
2:38
Better backup EDGE to re-sign as a free agent - Markus Golden or Bud Dupree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
I thought Golden was solid in his role. If he wants to come back I think they'd be open to that.
Jim
2:39
Do you believe the Quez Watkins signing has any effect on a possible Tyler Boyd signing? Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
Not really.
MZ
2:39
Rank these choices: JPJ, Latham, Mims
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
Latham
2:40
Tough call between JPJ and Mims as I explained earlier. High floor for JPJ but a higher ceiling for Mims.
@roncookppg
2:41
We have to assume Cole will not start the season so will be bring back Myle's Jack to round out the depth chart or do we draft one in 3rd or 4th round?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
I think they'd like to draft one. Queen is their three-down ILB of the present and future. What they now need is a replacement for Elandon Roberts, who is entering the final year of his contract.
CT Art
2:42
Do you pickup either Najee’s or Muth’s rookie contract options?  I say let them both play it out.  Najee has been productive but RBs aren’t a good long term investment and Muth hasn’t earned it IMO.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
Freiermuth is a candidate to get extended. As a second-round pick there is no option on his rookie deal. He simply becomes a free agent after the season if the Steelers don't re-sign him. As for Harris, I think they'll pick up the option because it's not very expensive.
Surly in Sheraden
2:44
Can this defense be a top 10 defense this year?  Last year they were 21st in yards against, and that rating was aided by getting lucky to see quite a few backup QBs.
Better health and FA signings should help (at least Queen), but they were giving up lots of yards last year even before all the ILB and S injuries.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
Where did they rank in points per game? That's what really matters.
Tampa Too
2:45
Ray, what do you think of the new NFL kickoff rule changes?

Does this take away the surprise onside kick?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
It's something I have to see for a few games before I can tell if I like ir or not. But just looking at the rules it seems like it could cause some confusion for returners about when to return and when to kneel down.
Steve in Canton
2:46
Any chance WR Myles Boykin comes back? I think he had been a pretty good special teams guy.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
If they have room for another strictly special teamer then yes.
Stash
2:47
Ray, the league cannot be serious about this hip drop move, can they?  I mean the refs routinely botch the most basic of calls, and now they are going to judge if a tackler swivels?  Its beyond dumb, no?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
Lots of complaining about this from defenders and I get it, but honestly why can't defenders just dive and grab onto the legs and drag players down from the thighs or knees? Just avoid the hips. In other words tackle at the knees or below.
Mikeinclt
2:50
Ray, appreciate the chat. Feels like center is the biggest need. If you could draft Webster (HOF), Dawson (HOF) or Pouncey (will stomp you in the ground if you mess with his QB)-who are you drafting?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:50
Webby. I grew up on the '70s Steelers.
Steve Abbott
2:51
I know there are a number of top receivers in the draft, but how confident are you that Pickens can handle the role of No. 1 receiver with the added attention he will get with Johnson gone?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:51
Well, he wanted the ball more so this is great for him. He'll get double-teamed more, but that comes with the territory. The great ones still get open and make plays.
Paul S.
2:52
Hey Ray…Paul from Memorial Dr., now up on Long Island…like you, I am still a proponent of a DL early, 2nd or 3rd Rd. Why not trade back with the 1st Rd. Pick? In this scenario you still can grab a C you like (Frazier or Barton) and thus gain another early pick, likely a 2nd Rd., and get yourself a WR and DL in the 2nd (say Roman Wilson-WR, and Robinson (Mizzou)/Fiske (FSU)-DL)…then grab an OT in 3rd, like the Yale kid.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:53
Hey Paul, I'm all for trading down if there isn't a player they want at 20, but I think there's going to be a player they want at 20 given their needs at OT, OC and WR.
Cody
2:53
Ray do you think the Steelers will look to draft WR,C,OT first ? And would they consider trading up
Ray Fittipaldo
2:54
Yes they'll trade up for a player they really want. They did it last year with Jones. and I think OL at 20 just not sure if it will be OC or OT.
Yogi in Yonkers
2:55
Is it really so incomprehensible that the Steelers win the division this year? They’ve swept the Ravens 3 of the last 4 years, the Bengals defense can be exploited by a veteran QB, and the Browns?  Well they is the Browns.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:56
Not incomprehensible but I view them as the third-best team in the division behind the Ravens and Bengals, if Burrow is healthy.
Arthur not Art
2:57
Hi Ray, thank you for your time and the chat. Given Jones' struggles in pass pro, should they be looking for a LT in this draft with better potential in pass pro and keep Jones at RT or were his troubles more likely related to new position and new to NFL.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:57
He's young. He'll get better in pass pro. Omar Khan said he will play on the left side eventually so it's only a matter of when.
Nate from Iowa
2:58
Hi Ray, do you still prefer an OT like Latham over JPJ if he's available at pick 20?  I get that there's more value in OT than C, especially first round, but I just think about all the great centers the Steelers have had during the Super Bowl era.  And it's hard not to continue that tradition.  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:58
I'd take Latham over JPJ, but maybe not Mims over JPJ.
Richard Petty
3:00
Ray, was it really all that long ago that Penny Kickett was in the coveted "pole position"?  My how times change......
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