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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.11.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Good afternoon. Let's get started.
Stairway to 7th seed
2:00
Ray:  you seem to believe that the Steelers are considering Branch at 32 or even 17.  Branch ran a 4.58 at the combine, 28th out of 29 CBs tested.  I realize he is a good football player and I would love to get him at say 80 and I know they miss Mike Hilton (who was a UDFA ironically), but can a team with a secondary as slow as this one really afford to spend 1st round capital on a 4.58 slot corner?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
I never said 17 for Branch. I think that's too high for a number of reasons. But second round I think might be the spot for him, and the Steelers have two picks in the second round. You reference the 40 time. And it's not great. Kyle Hamilton ran a 4.59 last year and still got drafted by the Ravens in the first round. He played about half the defensive snaps as a rookie and became pretty much a full-time starter for the final month of the season. I know safety and slot corner are different, but part of the reason Branch is a good prospect is his versatility. He can play in the slot and as a safety. Teams value that.
Stairway to 7th seed
2:03
Ray:  A lot of talk about going left tackle to replace Moore.  If they do go with a left tackle at 17, can Moore play on the right side?  He  is about $17 million cheaper over the next two years than Chuks and was just as good (or should I say equally bad?) at a harder position.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Moore played on the left side in college and has stayed there in the NFL. If the Steelers draft a tackle he might have to learn how to play on the right side because all swing tackles have to be able to play both sides. Unless, of course,
DALTER
2:04
Hi Ray,  I am beginning to think after the latest defensive line signing that the Steelers might not draft a D-lineman in the 1st four rounds.  Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
The signings of Breiden Fehoko and Armon Watts are depth signings. They're basically going to compete with Montravius Adams at nose tackle although Watts has some experience playing as a three-technique too. But the Steelers signing them means nothing when it comes to the draft. If they can find a long-term replacement for Cam Heyward I don't think they'll hesitate to draft him and maybe draft him high.
Guest
2:06
Ray thanks for the great work! The Steelers have plugged holes and built a good basic team. I believe with a well thought out draft and barring injuries they could be a surprising dark horse team this fall. What are your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
I've been on record saying they should make it back to the playoffs if, as you point out, they make some good picks in the draft. With four picks in the top 80 they could potentially add three players who could start or be major contributors as rookies.
chuck mac
2:07
So Ray as GMRF.....  You can have either Lamar and pay him the kings ransom of guarnteed money OR you can have Kenny Pickett.  What say you???
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
Jackson can help whatever team he is on win games when he is healthy. I don't think there is any doubt he is a better athlete than Pickett. The issue is his durability and ability to push the ball down the field as a passer. Those are two big questions, especially when it comes to whether he should command $50 million a year in salary. (With apparently all of it guaranteed). For that reason I'd take Pickett because you can build a good team around him while he's on a rookie contract.
Kevin
2:09
Hi Ray, thanks for the chat. I saw a couple mock drafts recently with the Steelers going WR in round 1. Do you see any way that could happen? The team definitely needs to look at WRs but not in the 1st round.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
I never say never, but I would be surprised if they took one at 17. I wouldn't be surprised if they used a second-, third-, or fourth-round pick on a WR. They did not add there in free agency.
Robert in Yorktown Virginia
2:11
Any chance Steelers draft Mazi Smith at 32 if he's still available?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Sure there is a chance. The Steelers went to the Michigan pro day and spent some time with Smith. They are doing their homework on him. He's big and can stop the run. He's also freakishly athletic for someone his size, which has led to questions as to why he didn't have better numbers in college. I think he's a tough evaluation. If you get him at 49 that's probably a better value than 32.
Guest
2:13
Hey Ray.  Looks like Mediocre Mike has hired another mediocre coach that will not improve the team nor threaten his power.  When is this ever going to get better?  Will Rooney ever step in and try to make it look like they are interested in winning?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
He hired an offensive assistant. Do you know what the duties of an offensive assistant are? It's entry level type work. Any chance the Steelers had of hiring an impactful offensive mind came and went once Tomlin decided he was going to retain Matt Canada as OC.
Jim
2:14
Based on recent signings, it appears that they are conceding that the Loudermilk pick was a waste, agree? What happened, just didn't develop like excepted?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Loudermilk was injured in camp last year, which stunted his development a bit. But he was drafted in the fifth round. Kevin Colbert liked his potential, but let's not pretend like they ever had concrete visions of him being a Pro Bowler. They took a chance on him in Round 5 and he hasn't worked out yet. So they're adding DL and giving him some competition for a roster spot. Nothing wrong with that.
Booie
2:17
Based off FA moves, it seems the draft plan is OT, CB, WR or CB, OT, WR with first three picks…Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
You can throw DL in there too.
Robert in Yorktown Virginia
2:18
Thoughts on center John Michael Schmitz from MN with our 2nd pick in second round? Too early?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
At 49? That'd be good value for Schmitz, who is one of the top interior line prospects in this draft.
Boiler G Dog
2:19
Ray: Thank you for the chats and mock drafts. Much appreciated. My question is this: Is it better to have a game manager at QB rather than a Mahomes or Rodgers that kills your cap space. In other words, spend your money on D and the offensive line rather than 50 mil a year on a QB like Watson, Jackson, or Daniel Jones.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
I think what every team is trying to do is find the next Mahomes or Burrow and try to win with them while they're on rookie contracts. It gets harder once those guys make real money although the Chiefs have done a good job in that regard. I think Mahomes signing a team-friendly deal is a big factor in that though.
Jim
2:20
So the Tenn OT was considered the 4-5 best before the combine. Now he is being considered to be the first OT off the board. After having scouts watch him for 4 years, how does he shoot to the top of the draft OT board after the combine and Pro days? Over hype?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
Wright is gaining steam as the draft approaches, but I still see Skoronski as the top OL in most top prospects lists and even mock drafts. Wright is consistently in the top 20 now, but I don't think he's consistently above Skoronski or even Johnson and Jones. Maybe by one or two analysts, but it's not the consensus.
Kris
2:24
Hi Ray:  Thanks for taking my question.  Do you believe there is any truth to trading Diontae Johnson to the Texans that appeared recently ?  If yes,  I think the Steelers should jump at it -- what is your opinion ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
What is my opinion of Kingman's performance? Well, I'll tell you my opinion of his performance... Sorry couldn't resist the way you phrased the last part of your question. My advice to you is not to pay attention to rumors like the one you referenced.
Soggy
2:26
With the Steelers signing another FA d Lineman, do you think the Steelers still target one in the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
I think it's a possibility, yes.
Javi
2:26
Hello Ray. How bad is it that 3 former 1st round picks on defense are not on team? Bush,Burns and Edmunds are done in Pittsburgh. Bad luck or just bad picks considering 1st round?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
Bush and Burns were bad picks. Edmunds at least was a solid starter for his five seasons. Not a great first-round pick, but he wasn't a bust. You could call the others busts.
Joe
2:27
Have you heard anything about the Steelers moving up in the draft?  A Chicago writer said the Steelers had talks with the Bears about moving up to pick 9.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
Omar Khan said he is open to trading up or trading down. If the right player is available then he could make a move like that.
Andrew from Johnstown
2:28
Hey Ray. Bud Depree visited Pittsburgh and left without a deal. Do you still think the Steelers sign him to a deal or did that fall apart when he visited. Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
Still possible.
steelbydesign
2:29
Feels like this roster has more holes than picks at this point. Do you think a trade down from 17 or 32 could be likely?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
Really? They've signed 9 outside free agents. I think they filled some holes and are in position where they can take the best player available at a few positions with their first-round pick.
Ted Z.
2:30
If the Steelers are still looking for a slot receiver on draft day, would Flowers or Addison be better suited for that role?
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