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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.08.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
Welcome and let's get started.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:00
Ray: can the Steelers afford to continue to use high draft picks on versatile "chess pieces" on defense instead of players who can lock down one position?  Leal is the textbook case of a bust of a 3rd rounder that fits this description.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
"Chess pieces" or position-less players are all the rage now in the NFL, and the Steelers aren't shying away from them in the pre-draft process. Last week they had South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori and this week Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M is scheduled to come in later this week. Emmanwori is one of the best athletes in the draft and Stewart can play DL or EDGE. I'm sure Stewart would be compared to Leal if he's drafted here because of his tweener status, but they're not the same player. Stewart has much bigger upside.
Tyler
12:04
Hi Ray, what’s your opinion on why Jalen Milroe’s stock is rising so much so that he has been invited to attend the draft?  I’ve heard he may be selected earlier than expected.  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
I find it interesting. The NFL has pretty good intelligence from teams that he at least has a chance to get drafted in the first round. That's surprising to me since he is someone who has a lot of development ahead. At the very least, I think Milroe is probably a second-round pick. That's where he might end up going. And the Steelers, of course, don't have a second-round pick after the DK Metcalf trade.
Sheila
12:05
Enjoy your chats Ray.  I’ve heard conflicting reports about Sanders.  Do you think it’s wise for the Steelers to trade up for him if he slips by the Saints?  What would you think the Steelers would have to offer to move up?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
The Steelers did not attend his pro day and Sanders has not taken a pre-draft visit to the Steelers. I cannot remember the last time they took a player in the first round who didn't check at least one of those boxes (pro day or top-30 visit). Maybe someone can fact check me in real time, but it doesn't happen very often. They like to get to know the prospects that are first-round targets.
RV
12:07
Morning Ray,   yesterday someone wrote in to ask BB if there was a player comparable to Brock Purdy in the draft.   I'm more interested in comparisons to Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts.   Jackson was taken at bottom of round one, while Hurts lasted until the second.   How does scouting on Milroe compare to either?   He isn't considered a first rounder but how does he stack up to those others?  Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
I guess Milroe would fit that bill from an athletic standpoint, but Jackson was better as a passer in college than Milroe.
Jeff M
12:08
Hi Ray, Seeing that the NFL is a copycat league could you see DL come off the board earlier to try and mirror how the Eagles are built? If so how would the Steelers pivot?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
Not necessarily. This is a deep DL draft but I'm not sure there are any generational players like a Jalen Carter in this draft.
Jeff M
12:09
Do you think the Steelers should look for an RB who can compliment Warren or a guy who can be a 3 down feature back? They currently don't have an RB under contract after 2025.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
If I had to guess I'd say they might favor or a bigger back to handle goalline and short-yardage situations, but they're scouting all kinds of RBs this spring.
Scott
12:10
There seems to be some buzz of Sheduer Sanders falling. Would you take him if he fell to 21, circus and all?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
No.
David
12:10
What is the obsession with the 2026 class? What makes anyone think they’ll be better than this year? Carson beck and Quinn Ewers were mocked in the top 5 preseason. Punting QB until 2026 could put the steelers in the same position. The aging veteran route is wasting away TJ cam and Minkah.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
So you want them to reach this year?
PODOG
12:11
What round do you think we draft a QB and who?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
Round 3 and I'll say someone like Shough or Howard.
Team Zunny, Florida
12:11
Between Pickens and Fitzpatrick, which Draft Day trade is more likely and which would benefit the Steelers more?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
Pickens. Fitzpatrick has a bigger salary.
12:12
And Pickens would fetch more in a trade I think.
Jay new
12:12
Thanks for the chats Ray. What's your favorite day of the year as a football reporter? Draft day? First game? Playoff game?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
Playoff games are pretty special.
Is it friday yet?
12:12
Hey Ray...I know DL is a big need, but can we really rely on Broderick Jones to the extent that OL is not? Sounds like a recipe for disaster to have a 42 year old QB's blindside so vulnerable...
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
They can't take an offensive tackle in the first round three years in a row. No one does that. Time for Jones to step up.
Lou
12:13
H Ray. Do you think the Steelers will take DL in both round 1 and 3? Or more likely DL then RB?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
Not with their first two picks but I could see another on Day 3.
Mikeinclt
12:13
Ray-30 years ago the Steelers took “Slash” out of Colorado in the 2nd round.  I don’t see it but what odds do you give the Steelers doing the same this year with Sanders?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
Oh please. Sanders is not nearly as athletic as Stewart. Sanders is a QB, decent athlete but noting approaching Slash, who played RB, WR and QB on a team that advanced to the Super Bowl.
Ryan from Ohio
12:15
Don't you think it would have made more sense to sign Wilson for one more year.  A proven vet, wanted to come back, cheaper, knows the system, and whole lot less drama.  Am I missing something?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
But there were issues with the coaching staff.
Ben
12:15
Hey Ray, you are forced to cover an “unfulfilled potential” themed road trip where you, George Pickens, and O’neil Cruz pile into a Tesla for a 3-day trip that doesn’t reach its destination. What Pittsburgh athlete would get the last seat and where would you be trying to get to (besides a championship)?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
Oh man, great question. You gave me a Steeler and a Pirate so I feel like I have to give you a Penguin. How about Beau Bennett or Alexi Morozov? Or a Pitt basketball player. How about Khem Birch or Chris Taft?
And we wouldn't be going to the playoffs!
Scott
12:18
The 26 QB class is projected to be much better and with the comp picks Steelers have accumulated, plus the draft in Pittsburgh, it feels like Steelers are planning on trading up for a QB in 2026. Do you agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
It feels that way, but there's a long way to go between now and next April.
Kevin
12:18
I’m not seeing a lot of mock drafts with a  d lineman in the first. Is this a case of the Steelers not seeing as a big of a need as I think it is, the national media not being close enough to know it’s a need, or the class is so deep they’re comfortable getting one in the third round?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
Good question. They've brought in a number of Day 2 and Day 3 DL prospects but no one yet who is considered a first-round DL. That's something to keep an eye on. I've been on DL in the first round since the end of the season, but I might change my mind if Grant or Harmon don't come in for visits.
Steeltown
12:20
Hi Ray, based on his senior bowl and pro day performance, are you warming up to the idea of picking Dart if he falls to 21?
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