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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.19.22
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
OK let's get the chat going.
Guest
1:54
Hi Ray, do the Steelers have any scouts assigned to USFL games? Their season would be over before Steelers begin. If they find a hidden gem in UFL, can they sign them as free agent?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
I am sure they have scouts assigned to watch the games, but anyone they would sign from the USFL would be signed after their season is over. The Steelers signed a few players from the AAF a few years ago. JC Hassenauer remains on the roster. So you can find players in spring leagues. Just don't get your hopes up that you'll find the next Steve Young or Jim Kelly.
Kris
1:56
If, by the trade deadline this year, it looks like we are in line for a top 5-10ish pick do you think the Steelers look to trade their star/solid but ageing/contract year players for picks to jump start the rebuild that will obviously be coming at that point with that kind of record?
I appreciate loyalty to players but this is a Business!
Seems like a lot more teams are willing to make those in season trades if they hope to be SB contenders with the “forget (sp) them picks” Rams mentality paying off…
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
The Steelers have never operated that way, and I don't expect them to change their ways now. Not while the Rooneys are in charge.
Kris
1:58
Reports of DJ skipping the Steelers get together in Fl to attend a similar session with Mac Jones is concerning. I get the mind games that go on with players in search of a new contract but this almost feels like tampering.
With only 2 receivers on the roster and hearing rumblings about both being of interest to other teams in a trade, the team obviously cannot move them out unless the player opts to sit out to force a trade, right?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Correct. Johnson and Claypool have little leverage if they want out. And, to be clear, I haven't heard that demand from either. It's a business for both sides. Johnson is entering the final year of his deal. The WR market is exploding. He'll do everything he can to maximize this payday. Whether it comes from the Steelers or not remains to be seen. I think Johnson is a very good player. I'm just not sure he's worth the type of money being doled out to other WRs. Will be a very interesting negotiation.
SMF
2:00
Hi Ray:  Thanks for the chats.  The absolute worst part of the Steelers game last year was almost every team ran over them like a hot knife through butter.  The ILBs took the heat, but the DL stunk it up.  Teams never did that during the Casey Hampton years.  You are 100% correct to suggest they Jordan Davis—trade up if needed.  I don’t believe for a minute he would only play 25% of the snaps.  Why wouldn’t he be in for every play under 4 yards to line of gain.   He gets a breather for 3rd and 10.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
The worry is what offense would do on second-and-9. They could bring in four-wide and spread out the defense. You need an extra DB or two in that event. So who comes off the field? Jordan Davis or Stephon Tuitt? Jordan Davis or Cam Heyward? Believe me, I like Davis and I think they can make it work for this season. But it's not a slam dunk that he's an every-down DL like Heyward or Tuitt. He's never done it so you can't project it.
Matteo
2:02
Hi Ray, I’m curious why you believe Devonte Wyatt might be the pick at 20. Does the fact that he is slightly undersized and his past off-field issues concern you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Yeah those are a couple of issues you have to work through. He was not suspended by Georgia after his arrest. The team obviously has done its own digging on that matter and will have their homework done on that. The other issue I have discussed in the past is how he fits in the base defense. He's not a traditional 3-4 DE and he's not a traditional nose. But if he's the best DL available and he's the highest graded player on the board then you have to figure out a way to make that work. With defenses playing in sub-packages 70-75% of the time, the Steelers are only in their 3-4 base  20-25% of the game.
ubnt
2:05
After watching film and reading Buffalo media and fan sites, Levi Wallace struggled as a starter against even average QBs, what makes you think he can man the #1 CB position?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Who said I think he can do that? Better yet, the Steelers aren't paying him like a No. 1 CB. He's making $4 million a year. It's the same salary Ahkello Witherspoon is receiving and only slightly less than what Cam Sutton is making. That's why I think CB is in play for the Steelers in the early rounds.
Tom P
2:06
Ray, with no movement to sign a FA Safety, do the Steelers priorities Safety in the top three rounds?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Seems that's the way it's going. If not top three then top four rounds.
ev
2:06
Ray, has there been any indication that a decision has been made on a new gm?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
No. That won't happen until after the draft.
Matteo
2:07
Logan Hall would be a perfect defensive line target in the first round (especially in a trade back). What are your thoughts on him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
He's the No. 50 prospect according to Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network. And I see him in second round mocks much more often than the first round. In fact, I can't say I've ever seen him in a first-round mock. But I think he's a good player and would be an option on Day 2 if they don't address DL in the first round.
Matteo
2:08
is there any interest in Lewis Cine at 20? I’m really not a big fan of him that early
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
Right. I haven't heard his name all that often in Round 1. But they did go to Georgia's pro day so they'll be well-prepared to make decisions on all of those talented Georgia defensive players.
Dave
2:09
Ray, do you know if Tuitt showed up yesterday for the Steelers voluntary offseason workouts?  I ask because the Steelers FO needs to know how high a priority it is to draft a DL player.  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
They're voluntary workouts. The Steelers can't make anyone show up. But to your point, they do need to feel comfortable with having him on the roster in 2022 with the high cap number he brings.
ubnt
2:10
Aaron Rodgers is the only real franchise QB taken from 19-32 in the past 20 years, you really want to take a QB at 20?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
I don't, but plenty of national analysts have been tying the Steelers to these QBs.
Tom P
2:10
Ray, if Davis and Wyatt are both gone at 20, do the Steelers go for best available tackle or wide receiver?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
In that event, they could go WR or DB.
Guest
2:11
If Antonio Brown is available at league minimum salary, could the Steelers sign him. Seems that no other team wants him.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
That sounds like a big distraction waiting to happen.
2:12
Dotson at 52 might be a pipe dream, but in your scenario I'd jump on Dotson. He's been climbing up draft boards.
Guest
2:12
Ray, Assuming you picked a DL at 20, if Dotson and Cine are both on the board at your second pick who do you take?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Ooops. Question to previous answer.
paul from sacramento
2:12
Hi Ray - Love your chats and insight. Thanks for doing this. There seems to be all these mock drafts of MC and MT picking a QB at 20. Do you think they'll take best available player? (maybe safety/DL/CB) I'm hoping for a stellar defense and a somewhat functional offense (even Dilfer and Flacco could win a SB, because their defense stifled offenses)  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
My thoughts are they used free agency to shore up some of the weaker spots on their roster and put themselves in position to take the best player available at a position of need. So I am thinking DL, WR or DB at 20.
Jay
2:13
Hello Ray.  Should Myles Boykins get interest from Steelers?  Cheap, young, and could provide valuable info on the Ravens.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
I don't know about any intel on the Ravens, but they scouted him pretty hard when he came out of ND. He took a top 30 visit here. Given their lack of depth at the position I wouldn't be surprised if they signed him, but we'll see.
Tom P
2:15
Ray, with the abundance of Wide Receivers coming out of college and the insane prices team paying to Wide Receivers, is this Johnson last year as a Steeler?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
I'm writing about that this week. You would think that would be the case, but teams are paying big $$$ to get these No. 1 WRs. And that's knowing there are talented guys coming out as potential replacements. I guess it all depends on where your offense is, your quarterback, etc. In other words, it might make sense for some teams to spend that kind of $$ on a No. 1 WR but not others.
HT
2:17
Yay I get the feeling that if Jordan Davis and Kyle Hamilton we’re both on the board at pick 20, the Steelers would run to the podium to pick the big safety!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
That would be a tough call, but I am guessing you'd be right. By the way, I don't think Hamilton is falling all the way to 20.
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