JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.02.24

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.02.24

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Ray Fittipaldo

1:56

OK here we go with this week's chat.

Stairway to seventh seed

1:57

Ray: the Steelers have a gaping hole at center, a big need at CB, and a "want" to replace Dan Moore at OT, but in some mocks WR Brian Thomas is available at 20. A big WR who ran a 4.33 and caught 17 TDs would probably be the top WR in most drafts. Isn't there an enormous drop off from Thomas to the WRs that should be available at 51? Would you pass him up?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:00

I think the difference between this OT class and this WR class is the WRs are the deepest position group in this draft. So a team theoretically can wait until the second or third round to get a starting-caliber WR. While this OT class is not shallow there is a drop-off after the top six or seven guys. I think you'll see five or six go in the first round and then five or six in the second round. But I'm not sure you can get a plug-and-play OT in round 2. That's why I think the Steelers will take one in the first round although I know a lot of people disagree and believe center should be the first pick. We'll find out in a few weeks.

Dinosaurs

2:00

The Steelers keep spending money to improve the defense and focus on a strong defense. I always believed that defense wins championships, but the rules that the NFL adopt each year make that less and less the case each season. You can’t touch the quarterback anymore and now you can’t tackle too hard. While I think this is ruining the NFL, don’t the Steelers see and understand this? The league is forcing teams to win with offenses, but the Steelers keep trying to win by defense.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:01

Don't worry. The Steelers will take a center, an OT and a WR in the draft. And all could be in the first two days of the draft. Those players will have an impact.

Going Backwards

2:02

So far, the Steelers have improved at inside linebacker and punter. However, they have gotten weaker at offensive line, wide receiver, and quarterback. Don’t you think it was more important to strengthen the offense than the defense? I don’t think making the offense weaker is encouraging.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:03

Again, be patient. The offseason is far from over. And I would argue with some of your thoughts. They are better at QB and they believe they can upgrade from Mason Cole on the offensive line in the draft.

Gene

2:03

What round do you think they address the CB position?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:03

Day 2 or early Day 3. So second, third or fourth round. They have two picks in the third round.

Do or Die?

2:04

Tomlin finally got what he wanted with running quarterbacks. He has wanted this style of quarterback for a long time. He also added the best ILB since Farrior. He now has a team that is more his than any other year. Will this season come down to a playoff win or bust? If he fails for the 8th straight season, will this be the end for him? If not, how much longer would the fans need to settle for his mediocracy?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:05

Art Rooney said he is going to sign Tomlin to an extension so unless they are really bad I don't expect him to be fired anytime soon.

Junior high

2:05

Ray--if Washington's knees are bad and the prognosis he'll never be much of a receiving threat, why not have him gain 25 pounds and convert him to offensive tackle? He says he likes to block. It worked for the Steelers many years ago with Larry Brown. I know it can't be done overnight, but if he's nothing but a blocker why not utilize his talents?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:06

Omar Khan was asked about this at the combine and seemed taken aback by the question. So it doesn't seem like the team has ever given it any consideration. And I'm not so sure adding weight to a big frame is good for one's knees. I imagine it's the opposite.

the real guest

2:06

Ray, If the Steelers had 2 picks in the top 45 picks I think they could get the C and the RT they want. If so, the question becomes which is the best way to accomplish that? Do they trade #20 down or do they pick at #20 and then trade up in round 2? I hope Omar trades #20 down. Your thoughts.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:07

The Steelers haven't traded down very much over the years, but Omar is running a new regime so that could change. In his first draft, he traded up a few spots to get Broderick Jones.

2:08

Ray, I appreciate/enjoy your coverage. Do you think Barton may be lining up as their first pick? He has the skills to play all 5 offensive line positions. He obviously would be their center and grabbing him removes any doubt who plays center. Then if Frazier there in round 2 you move Barton to right tackle. Thanks.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:09

If Barton's best position is center then I doubt the Steelers would take Frazier in the second round. I guess it would come down to how they valued him at RT and C and when it would make sense to select him.

TVC15

2:10

Do you think the Jim Harbaugh coached Chargers can bump the Steelers out of that sweet, sweet 7th seed playoff spot?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:11

The AFC remains strong and Harbaugh is usually a coach who can turn around a program in short order. He's going to focus on the trenches and win with an old-school approach, but he's a former NFL QB and should be able to help Justin Herbert too.

Tim in Cleveland

2:11

Hi Ray - Of the three least likely positions in the draft between QB, RB and EDGE, which would surprise you the LEAST to be picked by the Steelers in the first 3 rounds?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:12

Edge I guess, but I can't see them taking a QB or RB until Day 3 either, if at all.

Guest

2:12

Ray if you're running the Steelers draft are you taking a tackle in the 1st round or a center?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:12

Depends on how they're graded. I just have a sneaking suspicion that a higher-graded tackle will be there at 20. But if not, center could definitely be the pick there.

Jerry

2:13

Hey Ray! Why haven't we heard from Fields?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:15

It's up to the Steelers if they make new signees available. They did that with starting-caliber players such as Patrick Queen, Russell Wilson and DeShon Elliott, but they haven't done that for backups. I know fans view Fields in a different way, but he was brought here to be the backup. The Steelers didn't make Quez Watkins, Van Jefferson or Dean Lowry available for interviews either. My guess is we'll get our first opportunity to interview Fields during OTAs in May.

Tom P.

2:15

Ray, after C, OT, and WR, what are the Steelers priorities for the draft?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:16

CB and DL next in order I think.

Stash

2:16

Ray, your fellow PG Chatmaster GD says with authority that they WILL NOT go tackle followed by a center. Do you concur with GD?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:17

I never rule anything out, but my gut tells me they'll take a WR in the second round.

Tom P.

2:17

Ray, if the Steelers don’t select a center with pick 20, Barton, JPJ and Frazier will most likely not be available at 51. Do the Steelers seek a trade or sign Dolphin’s FA center and hope internal options work for a short time until he’s healthy?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:18

I think they'll draft a center, but they very well could make a trade if they don't. They would need someone to compete with Nate Herbig for the job.

Tom P.

2:19

Ray, can the Steelers wait until the third round for a WR to start opposite Pickens?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:19

Maybe but I'm guessing they'll get one in Round 2.

Stash

2:20

Ray, the center from WV put up some pedestrian pro day numbers, including a 40 time that Zeise could likely match. Is he still an early second rounder?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:21

He is coming off a leg injury. If the Steelers feel really good about him his pedestrian pro day numbers could benefit the Steelers if they want him at No. 51. But it's not like he was slow. He ran a 5.24. That's not great, but he's a center. He doesn't have to run 40 yards very often.

2:23

It appears to get a bookend for years the Steelers would have to draft an OT in the 1st round. But what if they simply want someone to play RT better than Moore plays LT? Does that push the tackle draft any deeper?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:24

It certainly could. Not every player on the line has to be a high pick. GO back to that really good line last decade with Pouncey, DeCastro, Gilbert, Foster and Villanueva. Foster and Villanueva were undrafted free agents and played on cheap contracts early in their careers. Foster always played on a relatively cheap deal. You want elite players, but it's not feasible to have five first-rounders, either. You need to develop some players from the middle and later rounds, or undrafted free agency, too.

Ricky Bobby

2:25

Ray, is B Jones in the coveted pole position for LT, or does the strange love affair with DM Jr. continue?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:25

Depends on when a RT comes in the draft.

Arthur not Art

2:25

Hi Ray. If one of the top 3 QBs dropped to 20, do they try to trade back, take the QB, or take BPA at C, OT, DL, WR or CB.

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