JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.07.20

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.07.20

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Ray Fittipaldo

2:25

Sure, but all of these backs have question marks. Some are smaller and don't have experience in pass protection. Some are unproven as receivers out of the backfield. Most teams don't draft RBs in hopes of them playing 10 years for them. It might just be a four-year deal and then they move on. That's not good for the RBs, but that's how the Steelers and other teams have operated in recent years. I can't remember the last time the Steelers signed an RB to a second contract. They wanted to sign Bell to a second deal, but he wanted to hit the open market and did.

Lloyd's 3-Count

2:25

Ben's cap hit next year is $41 million. Watt is free agent (would could be tagged), Dupree, Heyward, Juju, Connor, Villanueva are free to hit the streets too. Of those listed, how many do you realistically see on the roster in 2021?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:26

Two for sure in Watt and Heyward and probably JuJu too. Definitely some question about the others you listed.

Moshe From Cleveland

2:26

are we planning on getting a future replacement for Villanueva in the draft he is old overrated and overpaid

Ray Fittipaldo

2:27

Villanueva will be 32 in September so I think they'll look for a tackle to groom. Not sure big Al is overpaid. He signed a team-friendly deal back in 2017. He makes about $6 million a year. For a left tackle, that's cheap.

Stephen

2:28

Hello Ray. With all the talk about Ben’s recovery, I’m curious what you may be hearing about how McDonald and Tuitt are progressing following their injuries. Do the Steelers expect them to be 100% for opening day? (assuming there is a season.)

Ray Fittipaldo

2:28

Yes. Both will be ready for camp whenever that is.

Justin

2:29

I really like the running back from LSU (Edwards-Helaire). In your opinion, is he too small for a 3-down back in the NFL? Do you think the Steelers would be interested at 49? Thank you

Ray Fittipaldo

2:30

At 49 I think the Steelers will be looking for a three-down feature back. Edwards-Helaire is good as a runner and a receiver, but at 5-8 LSU didn't ask him to pass protect very much. So that question lingers in his evaluation. I think he'd be great value in the middle rounds, but I suspect other teams that don't ask their RBs to pass protect as much as the Steelers will pick him in the second round or early in the third round.

Jeff

2:31

Now that all the AB drama is over and all the national pundits ripping on Ben I was curious as someone who covers the team your opinion on his leadership. Some dudes seem to really like him, some not so much

Ray Fittipaldo

2:32

He's the leader of the offense. Been that way for quite some time.

Baghdad_Ben

2:32

You told us last week that there were no changes to Goodell's disciplinary powers with the new CBA. Didn't even sound like the union brought it up. Kind of mutes any future complaints about Goodell the players may have, but it probably won't stop them from complaining anyway.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:33

True. When it came to bargaining chips that was one they didn't mind giving back to the NFL. They wanted upgrades in salaries, benefits, things of that nature. Why get all upset about the commissioner's power when only a select few will have to worry about his decisions.

Mikey

2:34

I've seen lots of Steelers fans and writers (including yourself) talking up KJ Hamler. Do you think there may be a fair amount of Western Pennsylvania proximity bias in those opinions? He strikes me as the second coming of Tavon Austin - small, speedy, and a useful player, but not a huge difference maker. (I live in the Midwest so have not had a ton of exposure to KJ other than youtube highlight reels.) I'd rather draft a guy with speed but more bulk so as to avoid durability concerns.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:35

Hamler is smaller, but fast and shifty. He's a playmaker. Austin is a guy who might have had more success if he had a better QB situation. So much depends on the coaching, the QB and other factors when it comes to receivers.

Tim fromTyrone

2:35

Hi Ray. The signing of Ebron and hopefully Mcdonald will have a bounce back year and Ben returning should help the passing game. I am still not sold on the wide receivers. They still need someone to stretch the field. Which receiver do you think the Steelers are hoping will be there for them during the draft. Have a great day, Thank You.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:36

My guess are guys like Jalen Reagor and KJ Hamler. I like Devin Duvernay in the third or fourth round. They need to add the speed element to their wideout corps.

Mark

2:36

Do you see Edmonds be resigned ? To me he is a total bust

Ray Fittipaldo

2:36

Let's see how he does this season.

Nate

2:36

Hi Ray, liked your article about Steelers Oline. Do you think Steelers will now just draft Olineman for depth only, or would they consider tackle to replace Big Al next year? Also, if Big Al has a good year, do they sign him to a short-term contract? Or is he gone now matter how he plays? Thanks!

Ray Fittipaldo

2:38

I think they'll look to add a developmental tackle. Could be in the third round or could be an undrafted free agent. The Stelers have proven adept at identifying and developing offensive lineman in almost any round or even undrafted free agents.

Tim fromTyrone

2:38

High Ray. In my opinion the Steelers hands down have the greatest record in the NFL on drafting Centers. When do you think they should start looking into Pouncey's replacement. I believe he is 31 so he is not finished yet. Thank You

Ray Fittipaldo

2:38

I think they can draft a guy in 2021 to groom or just take one in 2022 if Pouncey doesn't return after his contract expires.

Steel Town

2:38

What's your take on Cam Akers? Looks really good on tape. Do you think he'll be available at #49?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:39

I like him and good chance he's there at 49. He's not getting the hype that Swift or Dobbins or Taylor are getting, but he has talent. He's flying under the radar because FSU wasn't very good and he didn't have a lot around him.

Daniel

2:40

Ray, the Steelers are on the clock at #49 & these three players are on the board: WR Chase Claypool, WR Jalen Reagor, RB Cam Akers. Who do you take and why?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:40

I'd probably go with Reagor with Akers a close second.

Nate

2:41

Hi Ray, based on your answer to zbluez1's question about drafting a RB after round 2 - if top 4 (including Akers) are gone, do Steelers just pass on drafting a RB at all then? Thanks!

Ray Fittipaldo

2:41

Yes that could be the case.

Daniel

2:41

Ray, who do you at NT for the Steelers in the 3rd or 4th round?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:42

I'm not convinced they'll go for a nose tackle that high, but Leki Fotu of Utah should go in that range. He's an old-school type of nose. Won't offer much in pass rush, but will be stout against the run. If they want to go for someone like Hargrave, a smaller nose that could be versatile and play end too then there are some guys in that mold as well.

Krugerrand

2:43

were you surprised the Steelers were not selected for Hard Knocks?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:44

Am little bit. But how exciting would Hard Knocks have been without the Saint Vincent experience. Would have been kind of bland taping from the South Side facility, no?

Nate

2:44

Hi Ray, will you (or Gerry or Brian, for that matter) be doing any live chats from home during the draft? Thanks!

Ray Fittipaldo

2:44

Brian and I will be playing host to a chat on the first night of the draft. Pretty sure we'll have chats for Friday and Saturday too so stay tuned for that information.

Vince

2:45

Ray, I have seen upteen mock drafts awarding the Steelers either Hurt or Eason as quarterbacks to the Steelers with pick 49. I think that our need there should be either wide receiver or running back. Is it possible that the Steelers are really considering wasting this pick on a quarterback?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:45

Don't believe the hype.

Kurt California

2:45

Is Bill Bellicheck already setting up his hacking network for the draft?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:45

No that's why he has Ernie Adams at his disposal.

Guest

2:46

If Mims, LSU Jefferson and Reagor all fell to 49, do you have a sense for who you think they'd take?