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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.06.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:50
OK let's get the chat going.
21-58-66
1:50
Ray - Do you think the Steelers took a look at Josh Myers at the OSU Pro Day?  Is he someone they would be interested in during the middle rounds?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:51
The Steelers always like going to OSU's pro day because they have a lot of prospects every year. Myers is in that 3-4 round range. Good player, but probably fourth or fifth among the center prospects this year.
Ryan
1:51
Say we got either Etienne or Harris and a top rated OLineman on the board when our pick comes up. Do you take a RB or the OL?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:53
Depends who the lineman is, of course. Sewell and Slater will be long gone. If it's between Darrisaw, Harris and Etienne, I'd probably go with Darrisaw because he projects as a long-term starter at left tackle. Plug him in there and you don't have to worry about that spot for 8-10 years. If Darrisaw is gone, I'd probably go with the RB over any other OL.
Steeler in Virginia
1:54
Any diamonds hidden in the second tier of RBs after the big three, in your opinion, or is it take one of those three or none at all if you're the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
Maybe Trey Sermon in the third round or after, but again they've done that four years in a row. Not sure they need another mid-round RB on the roster.
Kyle Pitts
1:55
I will lead all rookies in receptions.  How long will I last in Rd 1?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
Won't get out of the top 10.
21-58-66
1:55
Ray - I saw the article on the Pitt Pro Day, but did not see any on the Penn State Pro Day. Other than the tight end, is there anyone else the Steelers might be interested in?  Parsons of course will be long gone before then....thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
Michael Menet is mid-round center prospect.
Guest
1:56
Ray, when the draft, talk and preseason are behind us what type to offensive  game plan do you expect to see from the Steelers in the regular season?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Much depends on who comes via the draft. But if they get one of the top three RBs and an OL that can step in and start as a rookie then I think they'll be a balanced offense. They won't be the Ravens or the Titans, but they'll mix in the run and they won't be as one-dimensional as they have been. But if they can't transform their offense with impact players in the draft then I think we'll something similar to what we've seen the past few years. Matt Canada will try to be more balanced, but if you don't have the horses then you can't run the ball.
Joe
1:58
Is Christian Darrisaw the big left tackle from Virginia Tech on the Steelers radar? It sounds like he could be a starter from day one.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
He is a talented player and yes I think he can be a Day 1 starter if he comes in shape.
Quinn
1:58
Hi, Ray, and appreciate your work.  As to drafting on OT, doesn't it really need to be a true left tackle, not just "a" tackle - or do you think the team believes Chucks or Banner can protect the proverbial blind side?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Banner does not, but I think Chuks might be able to handle it until they find a long-term solution.
V. Fontaine
1:59
Are you covering the Penguins now too? Do you see the Steelers adding any free agents between now and the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Maybe one, but they might be done for now.
Donna
2:00
Hi Ray...in case nobody asked yet, if you were Kevin C, do you make the Darnold trade?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
No. Not while Roethlisberger is on the roster.
Adam T
2:00
Hi Ray, there are many seemingly arbitrary thresholds that teams set for player measurements (height/weight/speed/etc...), but one that most teams seem to follow is arm length for offensive tackles. Both current starters (Okorafor and Banner) are well above 34", which seems to be the optimal number that teams look for. Two of the top prospects that Colbert and Tomlin saw in person were Jalen Mayfield and Liam Eichenberg; those players are often mocked to the Steelers as a result. However, both of those guys are below 33" arm length, which seems to be a big cutoff number for most NFL teams. Assuming the Steelers take a tackle in rounds 1 or 2, do you think those players are out of contention for one of those picks?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
I wouldn't say they're out of contention, but those thresholds are real for many teams. Some believe Mayfield will bump inside as a result. We shall see. But there is nothing that says a player with shorter arms can't play tackle. Kelvin Beachum started several years at left tackle for the Steelers, and he had 33 1/4 inch arms. Of course, he was a seventh-round pick, not a first-rounder.
Javi
2:03
Hello Ray. Could this be one of the most crucial drafts in the Colbert/ Tomlin era as you see it? Seems like with the losses in FA and the team still thinking the window is open for SB every pick has to contribute. Maybe this year more than most I guess or am I wrong?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Considering the circumstances, I think it's important in terms of getting guys that are capable of coming in right away and making an impact. They need that desperately this year because they're trying to maximize the championship window as long as Roethlisberger is the QB.
Steeler fan in Alabama
2:04
Ray, Love the chats. In the draft I think the Steelers should take  Tevin Jenkins from Oklahoma State in the first round then in the second select Trey Serman RB The Ohio State. What are your thoughts on this?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Jenkins is in the mix as a first-round possibility. He's a right tackle, has never played the left side. That's OK. If he's better than Zach Banner he'll play, He is a big, strong guy who is very good in the run game, and he's athletic enough to handle edge rushers too. He wouldn't be a bad pick at No. 24 as long as they had the left side figured out.
Carl in Carrick
2:06
Hey Ray, do you think the Steelers have any interest in Asante Samuel, the Florida State cornerback if he’s available in the second round?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
That's about the range he will go -- right around mid- to late second round. I'm not ruling out a CB, but I'm thinking third or fourth round.
Guest
2:08
Heard they met w Karl Joseph last week, any idea if they plan on signing him??
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
I know the Steelers liked him when he was coming out of West Virginia. But if he didn't sign upon visiting that probably means they're in no hurry to get a deal done.
Jacque Strap
2:09
Hi Ray...now that the questions about Darnold should -- should -- mercifully stop, who is the next available bad QB every Steeler fan is going to want? Teddy Two Gloves?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Start watching the 2022 QB prospects.
Quarterbacks and Superbowls
2:10
Love how lots of fans want to state we cannot make it to the Super Bowl with Ben - you need an elite Quarterback - but for the most part it seems that a lot of pieces need to fall in place in December - Feb.  Garappolo, Matt Ryan, Old Peyton, Kaepernick, Flacco, Grossman, Hassellback, Delhomme, Gannon, Dilfer and Collins all took their teams to the SB and some even won.  How many on that list would you rate better than BB the past 2 (playing) years of his career?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Ryan and Flacco played really well during those Super Bowl runs, but I get your point. If you have a great defense and a running game you can get there.
putinbatch
2:11
have you or any of your colleagues ever correctly predicted a Steelers draft pick? All the pre-draft talk and speculation is fun, but over the years I've learned to prepare to be surprised with who they actually draft. Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Brian Batko predicted the Steelers would take Chase Claypool last year. I believe he said it on the North Shore podcast. It does happen. But the larger point of the predraft talk and stories is pinpointing needs and noting free agent additions and then trying to connect the dots. The point is not trying to correctly predict the first pick; it's to educate the fans on the process and the way they go about their team-building.
Lucky
2:13
If the top 2 RBs are gone in Rd.1, what would you think of going with the top Center (Humphrey) at pick #24?  He could definitely be a future Pro Bowl player for many years.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Creed Humphrey would be a good pick for the Steelers, but some might consider that a reach at No. 24.
LivingInMyFears
2:14
Thanks for the chat Ray. What is your opinion of James Washington? He seems to just be a tough-nosed WR that makes play IF he's on the field. Any particular reason he has never been considered a starter by the coaches? Just too many better WRs ahead of him?
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