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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.18.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
Welcome and let's get the chat going.
Joel Steed Fan Club
1:58
Do you think Darnell Wright can play left tackle in the NFL? Lance Zierlein has him as a right tackle and possibly a right guard prospect.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
That will be up to the team that drafts him, but he did play left tackle as a junior in 2021. I read a story that quoted his OL coach at Tennessee who basically said Wright made the move back to the right side because that's what was best for the team. I don't know how the Steelers view him, but I can tell you he is one of the more athletic tackles in this draft. He ranked second among all tackles at this year's NFL combine for his athletic score.
Stairway to 7th seed
2:00
Ray:  Joey Porter Jr. had one career interception and has a highlight tape filled with defensive pass interference by NFL standards.  His combine results were mediocre to poor at best (14th CB in the 40, 12th in the broad jump, 20th in vertical jump).  If his dad had been say a successful accountant, would he be projected any higher than the third round?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
Porter remains one of the top corner prospects in the draft after what you deemed to be a poor combine. I'm not sure so sure it was poor. There are plenty of fast players who can't play corner. I think we see that every draft. Some teams get excited about athletic traits and speed and think they can make an NFL player out of them. A lot of times, it's about the right fit. And as long as Porter is allowed to play to his strengths, I think he can be a good player in the NFL.
DaquidoBazzini
2:03
Hi Ray - How concerned are you about the problems that Jalen Carter has had, and how would it affect your decision to move up OR take him at #17 if he happened to be there?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
I would be concerned about the legal front as well as his poor performance at his pro day. It was jarring to see a player with millions of dollars at stake in his near future basically quit because he was out of shape. I understand he had a lot going on with his legal situation and perhaps he wasn't able to train properly. But to be so out of shape that he couldn't finish the workout is something teams have to be concerned about as the draft approaches.
obxandy
2:05
Ray, Enjoy your chats and articles. Will you do another mock draft before the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Yes it will run early next week. And good thing I waited. The pending trade for WR Allen Robinson certainly changes some things in my opinion.
MikeM65
2:06
Do you think the Steelers would take an OLB at 17 if he was their highest rated player on the board?  If he plays to a #17 potential, this would solve the Highsmith resign problem and would keep two good OLBs on the field all the time.  Also, good pass rushing OLBs make defensive backs look better, so a CB at 32 still might be a option.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
I won't rule it out. In 2020, the Steelers knew it was going to be hard to keep Bud Dupree after he was franchise tagged so they took Alex Highsmith in the third round. Not the same situation now but similar in some ways. Highsmith is going into the final year of his rookie deal. They can franchise tag him and keep him for 2024. So it's not like the Steelers need a starter now, but they could at some point in the near future. I think second round or after is more likely, but anything is possible if they absolutely love an edge guy at No. 17
Brian in CA
2:09
Thanks for doing these chats.  If the Steelers don't pick up a LT in the draft (or free agent), will Dan Moore likely be any better in his 3rd season, or has he progressed as far as he is going to?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
I'm sure he can get better, but how much better is the question. He improved over the second half of the season, but he was penalized way too much. I think the Steelers can upgrade the position.
Jeff Lebowski
2:10
Ray, what are the chances we double dip at CB and who would your picks be?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
I think it's possible because they need an outside CB to develop and a slot cover corner. My guess is they get their outside CB early and if they draft a slot it would be in the third round or after.
Drafty
2:11
Based solely on their position of need, what position would you like to see the Steelers pick at 17, 32, 49 and 80? Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
I think the need for OL, DL and CB are all pretty close to be honest with you. And as I've said many times before the Steelers don't need to force a CB at 17 because this is a deep draft for CBs and starters can be had in subsequent rounds.
VaSteelersFan
2:12
Hi Ray, thanks for your time. In your opinion, is Dawand Jones worth a 17th overall pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
I don't think so.
Darrin Mangiacarne
2:13
Why do teams structure contracts with low initial cap numbers that goes up each year?  They invariably have to pay the bill and get stuck with "dead cap money".  I can't see anything worse than allocating cap dollars to players no longer on the team.  Please make it make sense.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
They do it so they can add other players. Plenty of contracts don't have guaranteed money so dead cap hits can be minimal.
JC
2:14
Hi Ray: Could you see us grabbing a TE early? If we were to get a top TE and OT to be our swing or upgrade to Moore or Chuks I think the offense would be locked and loaded.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Darnell Washington from Georgia is in town for a visit to day. He is the only TE to take a visit, however. So either they're not focused on TEs or they're being coy about it.
Guest
2:15
Ray if by some chance Jalen Carter fell to 17 would you take him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
I would have my reservations.
Jersey Steel
2:16
Hi Ray - I think I prefer Darnell Wright to Broderick Jones and Paris Johnson Jr. Is that crazy?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Not really. He's older and perhaps a bit more polished than those guys. But Jones and Johnson might have more upside.
Parker
2:16
Hi Ray, do you anticipate Derek Watt taking a pay cut or being released before the upcoming season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
He doesn't have to be released. He's a free agent and remains unsigned.
Donte
2:17
Good afternoon.  Could you see the Steelers drafting a tight end to help on the offensive line and to provide another weapon for Pickett and depth if Friermuth gets injured again?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
If they really like one, sure.
Chris
2:18
Hello Ray...really enjoy your chats and insight on Steelers. With news breaking about Steelers trading for WR Robinson from Rams and TE Washington from Georgia visiting Steelers today do you think he's a realistic possibility at 32? He's a dominant blocker and freak athlete to give KP another big target in the red zone. Also if Peter King's reporting is true how do you feel about Steelers targeting Jalen Carter at 9?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Washington would be a scenario not a lot of people have talked about. But he big, can block and has upside as a receiver. He just didn't put up gaudy numbers at Georgia so there is some projecting there. I'd maybe feel more comfortable taking him at 49 if he was still available, but it is intriguing.
Bobbi
2:19
Hi Ray..can you confirm that Steelers are trading for Allen Robinson pending the results of is physical?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
He has to pass the physical. He's had injuries the past two years and had season-ending foot surgery in November.
STEEL72
2:20
Ray, do you feel that the acquisition of Allen Robinson II is about moving DJ in a trade somewhere?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
No I view it as a way to plug the No. 3 spot this year and that's about it.
Phil
2:21
Hello Ray.  If the Allen Robinson trade rumors are true, does that increase the chance that Diontae Johnson could be traded?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
I don't look at it that way. I look at it as Robinson slots in as the No. 3 WR this year. Austin No. 4. Or Anthony Miller.
Gene
2:21
With Allen Robinson coming to the Steelers do you think that eliminates drafting a WR?
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