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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.29.22
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:49
Good afternoon. We'll get started soon. In the meantime, post your Steelers questions!
HT
1:50
Hi Ray. Given the Free Agent signings it seems obvious we are going D Line and W Receiver….in no particular order. Unless the magic QB drops to us, and I’m not even sure who that is! Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:52
You're on the right track, but I would say they're set up to pick the best defender available at No. 20. Could be a DL. Could be a CB. I wouldn't rule anything out at this point on the defensive side of the ball. WR is definitely the No. 1 need on offense. Just a question of which round. They'll take one in the first three rounds for sure.
Atomic Chicken
1:52
Everyone talks about drafting a young QB to develop, what is wrong with developing D.Haskins?  If he didn’t have potential then why place a tender on him?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:53
The $2.5 million RFA tender is not guaranteed. So he only gets that money if he makes the roster. After the acquisition of Trubisky I don't really see where Haskins fits unless Rudolph requests a trade if he loses out on the starting job. Then Haskins could be the backup...if the Steelers don't draft a QB early.
Bernard
1:54
Does Watson to Browns change the way the Steelers approach the draft or build their team near term or longer term?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
I don't think so. They have their team. The Steelers worry about their team. Not every team that has traded for a QB in the AFC is going to make the playoffs. Maybe the Browns do. Maybe they don't, especially if they struggle if/when Watson is suspended by the commissioner.
Mike Brown
1:55
We need a receiver to take the top off defenses.  Any chance the Steelers take Chris Olave from Ohio State with the 20th pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
I won't rule out WR in the first round, but I do think second or third round is more likely. They need to add at least one quality player to that room through the draft.
SMF
1:56
Hi Ray:  Thanks for the chats. Did the Steelers let JuJu and JW go because they thought Anthony Miller had the connection with Trubisky?  I saw Miller caught 50 balls with MT in 2019 and 2020.  Miller was drafted Rd2. #51 in 2018; JW was Rd2. #60 in 2018; and JuJu was Rd2. #62 in 2017.  Very little talk of Miller as a Steeler-what is his status?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Miller spent most of last season on the practice squad. I tried to ask Mike Tomlin about Miller late in the season. He was getting some work with the first-team offense and returning punts in practice so I asked Tomlin after a practice about his development. Tomlin scoffed at the question and said he only talks about players on the active roster. They liked Miller enough to retain him, but I don't have a great read on how he fits into their plans this season. It wasn't like the receiving corps was lighting the world on fire last season. If he was any good, wouldn't the coaching staff have bumped him to the active roster more often?
paul from sacramento
1:59
Hi Ray, Love your chats and insights (also dig your podcasts with Brian B). I'm hearing a lot of chatter about the Steelers grabbing a QB in the first. Do you think it's wise (with a down year in QB's) to grab a QB in the first round? I'm hoping DL, Dbackfield and WR.  Trubisky, MR has 3 decent weapons in Dionte, Chase and Najee (throw in Friermuth) and it seems solid. The DL seemed porous and I'd like to think should be at the top of their minds  alond with a WR that might be able to separate.  The draft for QB's next year is supposed to be deeper.. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
I think a QB could be in play at No. 20, but only if their guy falls. And I'm not sure that's going to happen. They could go in a number of different directions in the draft, but as I said earlier, I think they believe they can improve the defense with an early pick.
Bernard
2:00
My uniformed mock draft:  Olave WR tOSU, Winfrey DT OU rounds one and two.  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Definitely addressing two needs. Some of those DTs such as Winfrey, Jones and others could be there at No. 52.
Alan from Indy
2:00
Hi Ray, Your thoughts on Minkah Fitzpatrick and the $$$ he’ll require?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
I think he's going to average in the ballpark of $17 million a year. Maybe a little less.
Bernard
2:01
If they don't resign Edmunds, would that take a safety such as Hamilton in round #1 or are needs elsewhere just too great?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
The previous time they drafted a safety in Round 1 it didn't work out. I'd rather address other defensive needs. I think you can find starting safeties in this draft after the first round.
James from Donora
2:03
Not really a questions, but with NE, GB, KC, Arz, Tenn all drafting behind the steelers, and needing a WR, maybe work a deal to move down a few spots and get another pick in the 2nd or 3rd rd, let one of those teams get the WR they want, and Steelers can still get something they want, OL, DL, CB or even another WR at 20 and another good player with an extra pick at like #70.   Also, Jailen Nailor, MSU WR, saw him run a lot of end arounds, and do it well.   Assuming Steelers watched some MSU tape, for Cam Heywards brother, I think Nalior would be a fine pick in rd 6 or 7.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
If the Steelers trade back it's because they believe they'll still be able to draft a player they want and there is value in gaining extra picks. This is a good year for the Steelers to explore trading down, but there's a lot that goes into it.
Next Coach
2:04
I’ve read that the Steelers have used most of their money on free agents and that it will be difficult to make a splash signing at this point. But I believe that is not taking into account the money to be saved by Tuitt being let go. When do they pull the trigger on that deal and move on?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
They won't save a ton of money if they do cut Tuitt. It's something like $4 million in savings if he's released. They put some voidable years on his contract last year to clear cap space.
Alex
2:05
Hi Ray, My thinking is you have to trust QB Trubisky for at least 2 years. If the Steelers draft a QB at pick 20 and Trubisky does well, then the pick becomes a waste. The Steelers need to fill a hole at WR, DL, or SS to make this team complete. What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
I agree with you on identifying the Steelers' needs. However, if they love a QB and that QB falls to them they'll consider it because QBs are so important to a team's success.
Mercury
2:06
By taking their time in hiring their next GM are the Steelers basically saying this is Colbert’s draft and they don’t care about getting any input from his successor? You would think the next GM would want to have a little say in the team he is inheriting or would that be awkward?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
It would be more awkward if the new GM walked in the building in early January and had to work with a bunch of scouts he had never met. It makes complete sense for Colbert to run this draft. The next GM can and will make some changes, but he'll be doing it at a time when it makes sense for the scouting staff.
DaquidoBazzini
2:08
Hi Ray… A couple weeks ago in a chat you mentioned that Devonte Wyatt would not totally fit into the Steeler scheme on the DL. Can you elaborate on that a bit more?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
He's just not the prototypical DE they like in their defense. He has a different build. Doesn't mean they won't draft him though. They play in sub so often that it might not matter to them. I'm just pointing out they have liked DEs of a certain height and weight for quite some time now. Wyatt is a good player.
Marc from Germany
2:10
Hi Ray, how long do you think the honey badger would have to remain unsigned to drop his asking price enough, so that he becomes a realistic Option for the steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
If he's stubborn July or August.
me again
2:11
Ray, Would it be correct to assume the only way the Steelers retain Tuitt is under a restructured contract that is incentive based (such as showing up, being in shape, etc.)?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
That's a possibility. They paid him last season for not playing. I would think they would like something back in return.
steelersfanslc
2:12
Do you think we sign another vet WR or we just gonna be using the draft for one?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
At this point you have a better chance of selecting a better player in the draft than you do with what's left of the free agent WRs.
SteelHeart from Erie
2:13
Hi Ray, with the signings that the Steelers have added, it currently looks like the only poisitions that the Steelers won't draft high are RB, TE, OLB, and FS.  Your thoughts ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
They might take an OLB earlier than you think, but you're spot on with the other stuff.
John Q
2:14
Do Tomlin's comments about adding a 4th QB through the draft change your analysis of whether they would take a QB in the first? Or will they blow another mid round pick on a backup QB?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Right. I saw the interview yesterday. When he said that I think it sent off signals a QB could be coming in Round 1. And that might happen. But all he said was in the draft. So it could be Round 2...3,4,5,6,7.
Dirk
2:15
Do you see any more cuts coming before the draft?
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