JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.26.22

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.26.22

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Ray Fittipaldo

1:53

Welcome and let's get started.

Kris

1:53

Not sure why so many draft experts seem to think KC’s last draft means he wants to make a big splash on his way out since that has never been his/Steelers style.
Am I missing something?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:54

They'll take the best player available at a position of need. QB is a position of need as is DT and WR. So we'll see if there is a big splash. I do think there is something to be said for Colbert leaving the team in good position as he steps away.

Kris

1:54

All of this talk of how great KC is seems a little overblown. The 4-letter network did a draft value analysis and ranks the Steelers 16th over the last decade which helps explain the mediocrity, I am sorry I meant “challenge for SB’s every year…”
Seems like a group stuck in neutral at best…
You?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:58

I'd have to take a look at their list of 15 better drafts. I know this: there aren't 15 teams with better records over the past decade. I know he's had some misses such as Jarvis Jones and Artie Burns and Terrell Edmunds in the past decade, but the 2017 class was really good. It had Watt, JuJu and James Conner. Anytime you can get a future Hall of Famer with the No. 30 pick you're doing OK. And I think a few years from now people will look back on the 2021 class with Harris and Freiermuth and feels like it was really good. All GMs have great picks and bad picks. And I'm confident in saying Colbert has had many more good than bad over his tenure.

Kris

1:58

I think signing DJ to a new deal now does not make sense because while he may have been BR’s top WR it does not mean he will be the top choice for MT/MR/?Rookie.
Maybe let him play out the year and tag him if they want to sign him to an extension or even tag/trade him instead of paying Big $$$?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:58

I'm starting to think that might be the route they go if Johnson's demands don't mesh with how they value him.

Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus

1:59

If Pickett, Willis and Ridder were all available at #20, which one would you pick and which one do you think the Steelers would pick?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:00

It's hard to know exactly how they rank the QBs, but if all three were I think they'd take Willis.

Paul

2:00

Hi Ray, I loved your last mock draft. Can only hope it happens. Still, Edmunds' contract is back-up pay. Are they drafting a corner higher than in your mock draft, or do they still have their eyes on a free agent somewhere? Who is still out there?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:02

Only so many picks to go around. I could see them taking a CB to upgrade over what they have, but I also know they have three CBs with starting experience on the roster. For that reason, I think it's go big or go home. In other words, if they don't take one early maybe they don't take one at all.

Guest

2:02

i think jordan davis is the reincarnation of joe greene. he needs to be #1 pick, no QB, no WR, just best DLineman

Ray Fittipaldo

2:02

Starting to think he won't be there, but I think he'd be a great pick for the Steelers.

Mike56

2:03

I think the steelers should avoid taking a qb at 20 regardless who's there. What's your thoughts?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:04

I understand why they've scouted QBs so hard. As Colbert said yesterday it's the most important position on the team. And if you look at the contracts of Trubisky and Rudolph, they're not paying either like a starter. Their contracts scream bridge quarterbacks. So the Steelers are going to be on the hunt for their next franchise QB until they have one. I could see them taking one at No. 20. I could also understand if they don't have high grades on any of them and opt for another position.

Big Sid

2:05

Doesn’t it seem like Chuck’s contract guarantees that we take a tackle, even developmental, in this draft.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:06

I could see them taking a developmental tackle. I had them taking Steuber from Michigan in the sixth round in my final mock draft.

Gordie Lockbaum

2:06

If the Chiefs and Andy Reid who had Alex Smith at the time, were willing & able to swap 1sts and trade away their next year's first round pick and some change to move up to number 10 overall in 2017 for Patrick Mahomes (who wasn't a consensus first-round pick) then why shouldn't Steelers move up to draft their next franchise quarterback if they believe he's there this week?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:07

Right. They have to believe it. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of this QB class. If they like one of them enough they'll try to get him.

Leon

2:07

Hi Ray, does Jordan Davis remind you a little bit of Dontari Poe? Both were combine phenoms who climbed because of size and 40 times, and Poe had a relatively meh pro career, I'm concerned Davis is just Poe 2.0, thoughts?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:08

I'd have to go back and look at Poe's combine numbers, but something tells me Davis tested better. But I do understand there is a projection there. He wasn't a three-down player in colleges and he has to be in the NFL if he's going to be worth a first-round pick. And there are concerns with his weight.

daniel11

2:08

If QB Willis, S Hamilton, DL Davis is all there at pick 20, who would you go with?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:09

I'd go with Hamilton.

Jerry

2:09

Hey Ray! I think we should take Pickens at #20 because when 52 comes around all the good receivers will be gone. Your thoughts?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:09

I'd be fine with him at 52 not not 20. He's dealt with injuries in college.

Gordie Lockbaum

2:09

Is Mike Tomlin sort of rejuvenated as a head coach going into in his first season without Roethlisberger on his roster?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:10

And Colbert. Tomlin said yesterday there is some angst associated with change, but he embraces it.

David

2:10

I see more and more teams will draft WR in the 1st round due to escalating price for premium WRs. Do you think the Steelers will follow this trend?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:10

Maybe, but they didn't really scout the WRs as hard as other positions.

Lenny from NY

2:11

Good afternoon Ray. I hear all these talking heads claim this QB class isn’t that good. These same people claimed that Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance and Justin Fields were all worthy first rounders. So far none of the them have showed me anything to back that up. I feel some of these QB ‘s could be better. What do you think? Thanks

Ray Fittipaldo

2:11

Depends on where they're drafted. Some organizations have better cultures, coaches, playmakers, etc. See, there is a lot that goes into the development of a QB.

MrCJJr

2:12

Hello Ray. Thanks for the chats as usual. I read your latest mock draft and understand the analysis. However, living here in Cincinnati and being inundated with the UC Bearcats, I'm no expert but I really don't see Ridder as a 1st round talent. My question is: Even though the Steelers spent LOTS of time researching and visiting QBs before the draft, can you really thing they're gonna waste a 1st round pick on these very AVERAGE QBs? They have so many other pressing needs at pick #20 than QB. Thanks

Ray Fittipaldo

2:12

I agree they have other needs. My point was if the grades are similar on a player at 20 -- and because this draft is deep at WR and DB -- they could address QB early and those other needs late.

Carlos Davis

2:13

My opinion: We have 2 experienced QBs - a given (like them or not.) We aren’t in dire/required need to use a #20 pick on a 3rd. We spent a great deal of FA capital on the OL. We’ll essentially be reinforcing the DL with the return of Tuitt and Alualu. We lost one body (Haden) in secondary but added/resigned others. We’ve added at LB. All that remains, that’s truly ailing, is WR. Unless some positional gem falls down the draft board, I can’t see a position more worthy of being drafted than WR. In which case, It seems logical to trade down into the bottom of 1st or top of the 2nd round (Detroit/NYJ) to gain additional picks. Agree? Disagree?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:16

It makes perfect sense to trade down, but you need a partner to make it happen. And in a draft that is considered deep at certain positions why trade up? By the way, one of the reasons I have a hard time mocking a WR to them in Round 1 is their pro day visits and top 30 visits. They skipped Ohio State's pro day to go to Cincinnati's. Ohio State has two of the top WRs in the draft. You didn't hear about the Steelers going to Arkansas or USC for Burks or London. And you didn't hear much about WRs in the top 30 visits. Yes, they were at Alabama's pro day, but Williams didn't work out. And he's not going to be ready for the start of the season. I just think they can get a starter on Day 2. We'll see if I'm right.

Virgil

2:17

Which Steelers offensive lineman do you consider in the "top third" at their position? Most people see this as set but seems like an area they could take a high OL pick if the right prospect is available

Ray Fittipaldo

2:19

Maybe not any of them. If there is one it's Daniels, and I'd like to see him play on a consistent basis with the Steelers. One thing you have to remember is the elite OL are off the board early because so many teams value protection for their QBs. It's hard to get an elite OT in the 20s, which is where the Steelers have been drafting for years.

Guest

2:19

Do we know if Kevin Colbert attended the Notre Dame pro day in person?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:19

Yes he did.

Guest

2:19

If all QBs are there at 20 as McShay and Jeremiah have surmised recently, who do you think the team takes?

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