You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.21.20
powered byJotCast
View Full Chat Next Page
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
steelmann58
1:59
Hi Ray what are the chances the steelers trade down from 49 to add some extra picks .
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
I won't totally dismiss the idea because there is value in the middle rounds of this draft. But I think they'll sit tight at 49 and pick a player that can help them this year.
steelmann58
2:00
Hi Ray if Taylor and Winfield are there at 49 you do you pick
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
I'd go with Taylor because I think their offense needs help more than their defense.
steelmann58
2:00
HI Ray what round if any do they draft a NT or will wait until abter the draft.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Fourth round or after. My final mock draft will publish tomorrow morning at post-gazette.com. I have them grabbing a DT in the sixth round.
Nosmo King
2:01
Hi Ray: given the surplus of quality offensive players in this draft... if a star defensive player (linebacker or lineman) falls into the second round and is available along with Taylor at pick #49 who do the Steelers take?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
Depends on the defensive prospect and where he is on the Steelers board. If they have a first-round grade on a player that falls to them and they don't have as high a grade on Taylor then you might see them go defense. But I don't think it will unfold that way.
fredward
2:03
Is Dobbins or Akers the better fit for the Steelers if they're both available at 49?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Good question. I think they both fit. Akers is faster. Dobbins is more of a back that breaks tackles. I guess I'd go with Akers because I think they need to add some speed to their offense. But I'd be fine with Dobbins if he's the pick.
Essential
2:04
Hi, Ray. I'm a big fan of your work and thank you for your time. Lynn Bowden, Jr looks like the kind of player the Steelers need: fast, versatile and tough. What kind of interest do you think they may have in him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
I think he'd be a good fit and you might be able to get him at pick 102. He can help right away as a gadget player and also learn how to be a WR. He's a bit of a project, but not unlike Antwaan Randle-El, who they drafted in the second round in 2002. Just get him the ball and let him go to work.
pozone
2:06
Hi Ray, any chance the Steelers might sign L McCoy to a 1 year deal. In draft I'm looking WR, RB, OL in that order?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
Depends on what happens in the draft. But I'd rather get a young back in the draft and have him for four years than McCoy, who might have a year left.
DaquidoBazzini
2:07
Greetings, Ray - I doubt it will happen. But what kind of deal do you think it would take to make the Steelers consider obtaining Leonard Fournette? He would be a major upgrade to the running game.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Probably a fifth or sixth-round pick. The Steelers don't have a fifth-round pick so it would have to be a sixth. Fournette has one year and the fifth year option remaining on his rookie contract. So he can become a free agent if the option isn't exercised. So it would basically be a one-year rental unless you wanted to pay him big money on the option year. Even as it is, he'd count $4 million on the cap in 2020. That's certainly doable from a financial perspective, but I don't know what type of person would be walking into that locker room. Maybe he's a good guy and would fit in great. But I know he had some issues with Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone in Jacksonville. I'd have to be really sure he was a decent guy.
steelmann58
2:10
HI Ray do you draft and OT or G/C first  and and do you draft an OLB/ILB first or a gut the  capable   to play at both spots
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Probably tackle, but I say that knowing the top tackles will be off the board before the Steelers ever get a chance to draft. So it could be a guard or center in the middle rounds if they do take an OL.
Troy
2:11
Plenty of rumors out there about who the Steelers should take with their first pick, if it were up to you where/who do you see them taking?  Appreciate your chats!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
I'd pick a running back or receiver. Taylor, Dobbins or Akers would be fine with me. If it's a receiver guys like Jalen Reagor, Michael Pittman, KJ Hamler, Brandon Ayuik and Leviska Sheault are possibilities.
APK
2:13
Do you think drafting a QB would be a waste of a pick?  I do.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Yes I do.
Jay in OH
2:13
Other than the obvious draft needs for this year that have been repeatedly discussed. What position in your opinion will be at the top of the wish list for next year’s draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
It's so far off, but you'd have to think QB will be a strong consideration. Also OLB if they don't get a guy this year.
AK
2:14
In your opinion, what is the more immediate need: ILB depth or a NT to replace Hargrave?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Depends on what they're going to do with Edmunds. I suppose NT because Alualu is 33. But I don't see them taking a NT with their first two picks. Maybe round 4 or after.
George in OKC
2:15
I’ve seen a few mock drafts recently that have the Steelers taking DT Gallimore out of Oklahoma in the second round. I do believe that is definitely a need but do you think the Steelers will take a DT that high? Personally  I don’t think they will or should
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
No because Gallimore wouldn't play that much early in his career. Even if they signed Hargrave he would been the third DT behind Heyward and Tuitt. You can get DTs later in the draft.
Lloyd's 3-Count
2:16
Who is the Steelers' best receiver?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Probably JuJu, but I think Diontae Johnson is going to surprise a lot of people with the numbers he puts up if Ben is healthy. He's going to rack up the catches.
VAsteelersFan
2:17
Hi Ray, do you rate Pouncey and DeCastro as above-average run blockers? They were both drafted as such, and they can both pull. I guess I'm wondering if Foster and Villanueva are (were) the problem?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
yeah you;re on the right track. Villanueva was never an above-average run blocker. Foster was OK at one time, but he was a detriment to the offense the past few years.
Florida Steeler
2:18
I think we should get Winfield with our first pick. Because wr and rb is so deep. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
But you don't pick again until 102. That's another 50-some picks. The receiver you want might be gone. Same for RBs. And Rbs aren't as deep as receivers this year.
MW
2:19
Pittman, Gallimore, Akers, Taylor, and Raegor are all available at #49.  Which one do the Steelers select, and which one would you personally select if it was your decision?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
Taylor, Akers or Reagor. Taylor I suppose because he's a shade faster than Akers. Regaor is definitely the type of receiver they need.
KA
2:20
What is your opinion about drafting a RB?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
I like the idea. A lot of other people do too.
Tom
2:21
The draft is such a crapshoot, most teams still miss on their first pick even with all the research. If stats show similar results from this year (in a few years) do you think teams will spend less time on interviews private workouts, pro days etc going forward?
Connecting…