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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.27.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
Ok let's get the chat started early. Go!
Carl in Carrick
1:54
Thanks for doing this chat so close to the draft. If the Steelers make their selection at #24, do you think they might trade up in the second round if there is someone who has slipped out of the first round?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
Possibly because it would be cheaper than trading up in the first round, but GM Kevin Colbert said yesterday they value all eight of their picks this year because they have so many holes to fill. Maybe if there is a player they really, really want, but I doubt it.
Bernard
1:55
I believe Tomlin attended Fields' pro day.  Assume they have a high first round grade on him and believe he possesses legit top tier NFL QB talent.  Would they take him at 24 or all they really all in this year to the point they would pass and take immediate need?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
The Steelers always go to Ohio State's pro day because they usually have 6-8 players that get drafted on average. So Tomlin wasn't there just to see Fields. The Buckeyes also have RB Trey Sermon, C Josh Myers, DB Shaun Wade, among others the Steelers might be interested in. But to answer your question about Fields, if somehow he fell all the way to 24, the Steelers would have to consider it because as Colbert noted yesterday not one QB on their roster is signed beyond the 2021 season.
Donna
1:57
Hi Ray.  Do the Steelers draft strictly according to their own needs or they take into consideration the strengths of teams in their own division or conference ?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
They draft for their team, but they are aware of who is playing in their division. For example, the Ravens and Browns are two of the better running teams in the NFL so you better be able to stop the run four times a year. Four out of 16 games is 25% of the season. It's a big chunk.
BIG Daddy
1:59
Hi Ray! I would love if the draft scenario plays out that the Steelers could drop back a few spots and get BPA. Having said that, what do you think the return would be for moving back? Then get Sermon in the 3rd?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
You should google "draft value charts" and have some fun. One will come up. You'll have to study it for a while before you understand it, but it's a nice resource. I can't answer your question specifically because I'd have to know how many spots they're moving down, etc. You can have more success just doing it on your own.
Yinzer Man
2:00
We are at the time of year where you can't believe anything you hear right? Why would Colbert leak any intel? Which tells me with all the Najee rumors, maybe the Steelers actually are leaning Etienne or Javonte W?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Maybe, but I and some others mocked Devin Bush to the Steelers and even predicted they would trade up to do it. So sometimes the intelligence we gather is good. Other times maybe not.
BIG Daddy
2:01
Nooo way Fields drops to 24th like some saying. If he starts to fall beyond 15, which I doubt, would they be aggressive to move up?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
I bet other teams would be more aggressive and have the draft capital to pull it off. As mentioned above, the Steelers don't really have the desire to do it this year because they have so many other holes on their roster.
Luigi
2:02
Since a handful of WRs may be drafted in top of the 1st round, do you think Tomlin may trade JuJu or Claypool to move into the top 10?  This would give a team a proven young, expirenced player AND we have plenty of WRs.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
No.
Scott
2:03
Am I crazy to think that an OT may not provide immediate help for 2021? The Steelers have Chuks penciled in at LT and Banner at RT. Barring injury or terrible play, I can't see a rookie starting over either of them. To me Center is the most likely spot for a rookie to make an impact. For that reason I would go RB in the first (provided one of the big 3 is still on the board) and then Center in round 2. Your thoughts??
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
I share your thoughts on this. I see them taking a developmental tackle. He might come in the second, third or fourth round, but I don't think they need someone to come in and play right away.
Dirty Dave the Love Slave
2:04
¿If Tulsa LB Zaven Collins is still on the board @ #24 do you make that choice?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
He looks like a nice talent, but I'm not sure where he'd play. He's a bigger inside LB. Some believe he could be an edge defender in the NFL, but he didn't do much of that at Tulsa. There's also the matter of him weighing 270 pounds at his pro day. If he stays at that weight he's an edge player only, but part of why NFL scouts liked him was his abilities in pass coverage. If he's an edge, how much is he using that. That's a long answer, but I have some doubts about him at 24 because of what I just mentioned.
Darnell
2:07
Hey Ray, thanks for all of your draft coverage.  Do you see the Steelers possibly signing Jesse James after the draft?  If the Steelers don’t draft a tight end, are the chances of signing James greater?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
Yes if the Steelers don't draft a TEN I expect them to sign at TE before or during training camp. And it might be James.
ppozone6031@gmail.com
2:07
Hi Ray, I would like to see them pick up QB Trask in middle rounds, any chance?I strongly feel RB (Harris) in round 1 and OL in second what say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
I'm lukewarm on Trask. Big arm but not mobile. And yes I am thinking RB in Round 2 and OL in Round 2.
Tampa Too
2:08
Ray. Do you think the NFL tells the teams to slow play the first round pick to “milk” the draft?  It seems to me that the first four or five pics should go rather quickly but it always seems to take the entire 15 minutes for a team to select a player
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
Of course they do. It's a TV show and it's all about ratings.
jay
2:09
Hello Ray.  Steelers often surprise us with picks that few mocks can predict.  Who could possibly be this year's Terrel Edmunds, Juju, Artie Burns or Bud Dupree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
That's a good question. Maybe one of those inside linebackers or edge rushers that are in the late Round 1 conversation. Ojulari or someone like that. I don't see it happening, but if we are surprised I think it would be one of those two positions: ILB or OLB.
Southside Jimmy
2:11
Ray, with the draft almost upon us, are you hearing any rumors of possible picks for the Steelers in the lower rounds (4-7), someone flying under the radar? Thanks for the chats and great articles!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
If you read between the lines of what Colbert had to say yesterday about the depth at certain positions in this draft then you can sort of figure that out. I think it's a good year to get WRs and DBs on Day 3. And maybe even OL.
DaquudiBazzini
2:12
Ray - What do you think the fallout will be from the Justin Layne arrest? Waived? Given another chance? Another CB drafted or a late FA pick up?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
I think he'll get another chance.
Jeffrey P.
2:12
Najee Harris gives Ben a weapon at RB from day one similar to Lev Bell.  I wouldn’t pass on ETN either if Harris was gone. In your opinion, is one a better fit over the other in Matt Canada’s system?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Well, since Matt Canada hasn't been made available to us since he was hired I don't have any keen insights on what the Steelers offense might look like under his direction. I think we saw some sneak peeks last year early in the season of what his offense is like, but that eventually went away. Just in talking to people I have a pretty good idea that either Harris or Etienne would be fine in his system.
Just a fan
2:14
Is it the thinking that Heinz Field will be open at full capacity for Steelers games in the Fall?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
As long as people continue to get vaccinated I think that's a very realistic scenario.
Yuri
2:15
Hello Ray.  With your frequent appearances on The Fan (93.7), would you be open to having your own show?  I think there would be great interest among the many Steelers fans.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Sure that would be fun.
Dirty Dave the Love Slave
2:16
¿If Harris & Etienne are gone before picking @ #24, do you see the Steelers trading down to the 2nd round?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
I think they're open to it. Will they do it? Depends if they have a partner and whether they'd feel comfortable moving down x number of spots.
Bernard
2:16
Any chatter among your sources re Steelers interested in Josh Myers (C) in middle rounds?
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