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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.01.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
Good afternoon. Let's get started.
Stairway to seventh seed
11:57
Ray: one member of Steeler media keeps saying that it would be difficult for Fautanu to move to Left Tackle because when he played there at Washington, they had a left handed QB so he wasn't protecting the blind side.  I always thought that the difficulty in switching stemmed from individual technique issues like footwork and hand placement.  There are certainly reasons not to go down the Brod Jones path with Fautanu and move him, but do you think it matters at all that Penix was left handed in terms of Fautanu's ability to switch sides?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
The Steelers view Fautanu as a right tackle, but he's certainly capable of playing left tackle. And no, whether the QB is right-handed or left-handed, does not have any bearing on how any lineman approaches a transition from one side to the other. As you point out, it's simply a matter of flipping the footwork and putting your opposite hand on the ground. That's it. Some players are extremely comfortable in doing this and others struggle with it. It has nothing to do with athleticism, simply how their brain works. Usually it comes with reps.
Bring Back Noah’s Ark
12:00
Hi Ray.  Appreciate your work.  Seriously no way we pick up Broderick’s option is there?  Not sure his production warrants it, let alone his serious injury.  What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
The Steelers are one month away from having to make that decision, and I can't see them picking up the option given his current health status. It just would not make good business sense. That would mean he'll play out the final year of his rookie contract with the rest of the 2023 draft class.
Steeltowntim
12:02
Ray it's the day where it's hard to believe the news but with so many picks why not snag a few late round QB's in hope, we find a diamond in the rough?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
A few? They very well might draft a QB likely in the middle rounds, but only the Browns draft two QBs in one draft.
KordellTolls
12:04
Ray, what's with the irrational love Yinzers have for Drew Allar? He's tall and he's local, but that's it. As Gerry D says, in big games he played small. Seems like another Brock Osweiler.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
He has traits that cannot be taught, and whether you like it or not, fans and NFL evaluators are intrigued by him. He could end like Osweiler or any other big, strong-armed QB who doesn't work out. But athletes like Allar get the benefit of the doubt because they have the size and arm to play in the NFL. There are always coaches who believe they can get the most out of a player.
SoCalSteelerFan
12:07
Hey Ray - love your chats! Odds of Rodgers returning better than 75%?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
That's a good number. Maybe a little higher.
Draft King
12:08
With the additions the Steelers have made through trades and free agency, do you believe they will truly be in best player available mode at pick 21 or will it be best player at wide receiver, safety or guard? Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
Yes I do. I have a hard time seeing them drafting another position but hey you always have to leave room for a surprise.
SMF
12:08
Hi Ray:  With the Steelers signing Jamel Dean, do you think Ramsey is going to play free safety again; or the slot CB most of the time?  If he has lost a step, isn't he more vulnerable at free safety?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
I think he'll be a matchup player depending upon the opponent.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:09
Ray: given this team's intense focus on the short term and ensuring that they will never fall below .500, are they really going to go into a season with a statue at QB and either Dylan Cook or Brod Jones at LT?  Cook is lauded for being better than expected last year, but after Jones got hurt, in games against the Bills, Browns, and Texans, the offensive line was destroyed.  Cook played well against fairly weak defenses (Dolphins, Ravens 2x, and Lions). Jones's play has ranged from horrible to mediocre over the last two years and he hasn't even started lifting yet.  1st round tackle is a lock in my view unless they just want to wow the crowd with something more exciting than a 3rd OT in 4 years.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
It would not surprise me if they took a tackle, but it would surprise me if they took one in the first round. Just because you take a tackle in the first round doesn't mean you have a 10-year starter. We've seen that with Jones. And why can't a second- or third-round pick develop into a competent starter? McCarthy got David Bahktiari in the fourth round of the 2013 draft. He turned into a really good longtime starter. Sometimes you have to trust your scouts to find players in different rounds and trust your coaches to develop them.
Tim
12:12
More likely trade up scenario, Tate with a fair bit of give up or Thieneman for a little capital given up?  Or, I guess neither?  Thx for fielding my 3 parter
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
My guess is they sit tight at 21, but of the other two scenarios I'd rather give up less and draft Thieneman.
KordellTolls
12:13
Good morning Ray. Please tell us the Steelers won't draft another ILB in the first round with so many other pressing needs. A fast WR should be the main target.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
It's not like they do it every year. They did it in 2014 and 2019 and the only reason they did it in 2019 was because Shazier got hurt. But I'd be surprised if they went down that road this year. But how about Jacob Rodriguez in the second round?
Pittfan
12:15
Hi Ray. Is a 1st round wide receiver that critical? Whoever they bring in will most likely start off as WR3. They have Metcalf and Pittman under contract for the next 2 years and hopefully Wilson will add some value. I know they need bodies in the WR room but I think the draft is deep enough to grab one or two later. I like the idea of Dulac floating a dynamic TE. I also think continuing to build a front to open running lanes, protect Rodgers and eventually a young  QB is important.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
It's not that critical because this is a very good WR draft. They could get one in the second or third round too. But if there is a WR at 21, and he's the best player on your board, I think it's a good move. That WR might not start as a rookie, but he could be the No. 1 in a year or so. Pittman simply sifts to a No. 3 in 2027 or 2028. It wouldn't be that big of a deal.
Realist
12:17
Yes or no: Allar is not worth a 2nd round pick? Same question for 3rd round pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
I would not blink if they took him with one of their third-round picks. Second? Yeah I'd be surprised if the Steelers did that. Maybe another team but not the Steelers.
Jon in Orrgon
12:18
It seems to me that Kaleb Johnson’s end zone mistake may have been overplayed in the press. It was one mistake—though a significant one—and on special teams. How long would a coaching staff punish him for that?  I believe last year’s staff  didn't have much confidence in him as an RB or he would have played more. (And now of course, the Steelers went after another.) ShouWhat say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
Johnson has much to prove. RB is usually a position where rookies can step in and play well. He did not do that. The fact they got Dowdle to replace Gainwell speaks to their lack of confidence in him. It's up to him to change their minds.
Realist
12:19
I don't understand why safety seems to be more of devalued position by some in the NFL.  With the sub packages, doesn't a playmaking safety had a high degree of adaptability and options to a defense?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
Absolutely. I think that's why they're back in vogue. Where it doesn't make sense to draft a safety high is when you use him in centerfield and teams can scheme away from him. You saw how opposing teams eventually neutralized Minkah Fitzpatrick. They simply identified where he was and stayed away from him for the most part. But when you have a dynamic athlete who can move around the secondary and play multiple positions it opens up the playbook for the defensive coordinator.
Mike in DC
12:21
Hey Ray! Just checked Daniel Jeremiah’s most recent rankings. He has the safety from Toledo over the Oregon guy, and Omar cooper over Jordan Tyson. What do you make of those rankings? Seems like Steelers may have some good options at positions of need at 21
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
I agree they will have good options at WR if they sit tight at 21. I'm not sure where Jeremiah had McNeil-Warren and Thieneman before his latest piece, but they're both very talented. I just like how Thieneman plays. He flies around and makes a lot of plays. He can run and cover and play in different spots.
CO Steelers
12:24
Ray, why all the high praise for Howard but still hope Rodgers returns? I get wanting to be competitive every year but if you really thought we had something in Howard, why bring back AR? Go into the season seeing what we have knowing if he doesn’t produce we find our next QB in 27 draft. Seems weird we go another season not seeing Howard because Rodgers in the starter. Is the Howard talk just a smokescreen?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
Howard injured his hand last summer, and the Steelers never got to see him perform in a game of any kind. You can like a guy's potential all you want, but you can't throw Howard in as a starter when he's never taken a snap in an NFL game.
Yuri
12:25
Hello Ray.  As a proponent of drafting Kenyon Sadiq, how far up might the Steelers need to trade up?  I guess it might depend on how many “top” receivers are available.  Thank you Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
I'd be a little surprised if they traded up to get a TE. Didn't the Steelers just go through a season when there weren't enough balls to go around for their tight ends?
Preference
12:26
I noticed Stairway to 7th seed almost always has the first question in the chats.  Preferential treatment?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
He's the first in every week so he's always at the top of the list. And he has very good and detailed questions.
chris
12:27
Hey Ray really appreciate all of the chats you've done over the years! Please tell me Jacob Rodriguez TTech LB is in play for Steelers 2nd round pick? I think he steps in as day 1 starter and gives Steelers the ILB they've been looking for since Shazier injury.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
He was in for a top 30 visit so he's definitely on their radar. And they'll likely need a starter in 2027 with Queen entering the final year of his deal.
This Guy
12:28
"only the Browns draft two QBs in one draft." The Steelers did it when they drafted Picket and a 7th rounder. A brownie move for sure.
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