JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.22.25

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.22.25

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Ray Fittipaldo

1:24

I don't sense that around the draft, but I do in general when people talk about the team as a whole.

Same old Steelers

1:24

There was an article the other day about Colbert's draft record. His first 10 years were great, after that, not so much. Does anyone see the decline in the draft quality after Tomlin became HC???

Ray Fittipaldo

1:27

I know plenty of people emailed me or responded to me on X about just that subject. They believe Tomlin gained more power in the draft as the years went on. I think it's fair to say that he did. But I don't think Kevin Colbert or Art Rooney would have allowed Tomlin to just overtake the entire draft. They have a system that's been in place now for a while. They come to a consensus among the group and they're on the same page when it comes time to draft. I know it's a popular narrative -- and there might be some pieces of truth to it -- but Colbert was the GM, not Tomlin. If he wanted to override a pick he thought was terrible he would have done that.

34russellhof

1:27

Ray, after last years loss to KC, Pickens went over to Mahomes and Kelce getting interviewed at a table by the network congratulating them on their win. How about Pickens to KC for a high draft pick? If people are worried about the future the Steelers are way out of their class for a while anyhow.

Ray Fittipaldo

1:28

Id' do it for their second-round pick. We'll see if Khan would do that if's presented with that scenario Thursday night or Friday.

ther real guest

1:28

Ray, Sanders is there at 21 and da Browns offer Omar their 2nd and 3rd and next years 1st for the Steelers 21. Do you take it? I say absolutely.

Ray Fittipaldo

1:29

I'm not entirely certain what the Steelers would do, but I know I would do that in a heartbeat.

Casey

1:29

If the three target DL are still available at 21 why not trade down with the Giants? We get their two and three. Kahn man strikes again.

Ray Fittipaldo

1:29

Great, but they'd have to feel really good that a player they want would fall to them 10-12 picks later.

TVC15

1:30

Mason Rudolph has never entered the season as a starting quarterback with all the first team snaps/reps that entails. If that were to happen this season would there likely be a noticeable uptick in his play?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:31

That's hard to say, but I think any player who is afforded more opportunities improves with those opportunities.

Please No

1:31

Why are we even talking about picking a QB in the draft when we have so many more important areas of need? Move on from AR and try to acquire Kirk Cousins, and then draft DL, DB, WR, RB, etc. Thoughts?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:32

If they move on from Rodgers they'll be happy to turn it over to Rudolph. And as far as the draft goes I think it's DL and RB will be addressed on the first two days of the draft. Or at the very latest the fourth round on Saturday.

Chuck from Michigan

1:33

Ray, I believe Steelers should pass on drafting a QB in this draft and sign Desmond Ritter as Rudolph’s backup. Use the first two draft picks and grab Derrick Harmon, DL-Oregon and Darius Alexander, DL-Toledo to beef up the defense. Love your chats and appreciate your thoughts? Thank you very much!

Ray Fittipaldo

1:33

Thanks Chuck! I love the idea of doubling down on DL, but they only have six picks. If they double down I'm guessing one of the later picks would be the other DL.

Sunner in Orlando from Lebo

1:34

Hypothetical scenario: If Rodgers does not make up his mind until the 1st day of training camp, do the Steelers still entertain signing him? What if they get Milrow or Mccord in the 3-4 round does that change the strategy?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:35

I guess they could wait that long, but that would be cutting it pretty close. There would be a lot of eyes on Rodgers and his teammates to see how the chemistry developed in Latrobe.

Mike in PA

1:35

Why don't more teams sign good running college QBs who don't have NFL arms to be RBs and WRs? Randal-El, Edelman, etc. These guys are usually great athletes but either lack size or NFL arms.

Ray Fittipaldo

1:37

I'm with you, but I think it's less popular now because QBs want to make that QB money and don't want to change positions. Edelman was a late-round pick so he didn't have a lot of leverage. And Randle El was never going to play QB in the NFL. He was drafted as an athlete. I haven't heard one word about Milroe or anyone else from this class changing positions. Could it happen if they fail as a QB first? Sure, but they'll be given an opportunity to play QB first. Times have changed in that regard.

Bradshaw

1:38

How about a trade of George Pickens to Detroit for Herndon Hooker

Ray Fittipaldo

1:38

No. If I trade Pickens I want a second-rounder back as the return.

Gus in Alaska

1:39

Happy Draft week, Ray! I didn’t read the quote in context, but when Mike Tomlin compares the Nose Tackle position to the disappearing Fullback, do you think he’s acknowledging a need for both given their pre-draft interest in 49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:40

No. I think if the question was worded in a different way he might have given a different answer. For instance, if the questioner said an interior defensive lineman.

Jb406

1:40

Curious about an actual roster player .. Logan Lee, healthy? Able to make an impact in 2025?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:40

He is expected to be healthy for camp, but he's a sixth-round pick. In no way are they counting on him to be a part of the rotation. He could be, but he'll have to earn it.

Brian

1:41

Thanks for the chat Ray. If Ayomanor/Bech/Higgins/Royals/Harris are sitting there (take your pick) and the team on the clock calls and offers their pick for GP, do you pull the trigger? Would the Steelers?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:41

I would definitely do that if Higgins was there. I'd have to think about the other guys.

Henry Hill

1:44

In response to Please No, Please No to Cousins.

Ray Fittipaldo

1:44

Ditto.

bab

1:44

Isn’t the quarterback position a position of need? Last I checked. What did you make of Mason‘s opportunity in Tennessee?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:44

He's not the Steelers future franchise QB, but Tennessee has the No. 1 pick for a reason.

bab

1:45

Ray, are you like me? I blame Mike Tomlin for everything that goes wrong in my life.

Ray Fittipaldo

1:45

Ha ha, you should see all the questions I leave out on Tomlin every week.

Art II tiebreaker.

stlslash

1:45

Hi Ray we get to 21 Harmon Grant and Sanders are all available Coach T wants Sanders Kahn wants Harmon or Grant who wins.

Ray Fittipaldo

1:46

Whoops. Question to the Harmon, Grant and Sanders query.

Brian

1:46

With this being considered a loaded RB class, could you see some teams saying "we can grab one later", thus pushing talent at the position down the board?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:46

Sure, but I think Jeanty and Hampton are legitimate first-round RBs. \

Obx jim

1:46

Great chats Ray!! Thank you! That’s all I wanted to say

Ray Fittipaldo

1:47

Thanks Jim!

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