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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.29.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Welcome and let's get started.
Stairway to seventh seed
11:58
Ray: I enjoyed your 2026 QB article this morning.  Assuming Manning does not come out, can you explain why these QBs rate higher than Jaxson Dart?  They certainly didn't have better statistics than him.  Many of the ones that you list are smaller.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
All of these guys have to be seen more. Sellers is unrefined, but has a great arm and athleticism. Nussmeier is a refined pocket passer. The rankings will fluctuate during the season and after the season and throughout the pre-draft process. It's a good year for the Steelers to scout QBs again so it should make the next year very interesting if you're a Steelers fan.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:00
Ray: during the Lev Bell era, I always thought it was key that the Steelers OL held their blocks long enough for Bell to find a hole.  Johnson seems to have a similar style.  Can this work with this OL?  Brod Jones in particular seems to make good initial contact and then just stop.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
They all need to take a step forward, but all eyes will be on Jones because he was a first-round pick. Fautanu being healthy should help immensely. Frazier was really good and should get better. McCormick should do the same.
Mike from NY
12:02
Good morning Ray. Will the Browns ever stop making stupid decisions or are they doomed for eternity? They drafted the QB  they wanted and then take Sanders. Now they have too many QBs. It's not like they couldn't use that pick to select someone who could actually help them. I guess we should just be glad that they are in our division, so we don't have to worry about finishing last
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
The Sanders pick sure looks like owner interference.
Tampa Too
12:02
Ray. Your thoughts on why Shedeur Sanders dropped so far in the draft and do you think the Steelers should’ve taken a flyer on him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
He's an average QB who isn't going to walk in and become a starter. NFL teams don't want players with his personality if he's going to be a backup. Backups keep their head down and grind as they try to make their way. Sanders should embrace that and change his image. It might be his only way forward in the NFL.
Bubby's Rooster
12:04
Ray, is Kyle McCord a better prospect than Will Howard, or are they comparable? Seems like a good draft to fill needs, but do the Steelers need another CB and WR? Wish those areas were addressed.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
They addressed WR and CB in free agency. I think Howard and McCord are similar prospects. I think they're good developmental players. If Howard becomes the next Mason Rudolph, a reliable backup and spot starter, I think it's a win for the Steelers in Rounds 6.
Zamo
12:05
Hey Ray. Think Steelers did a great job in draft especially solidifying DT and RB. Great fits and filled needs.  My favorite pick is Sawyer. Team captain, great locker room guy and tough as nails. I know he didn’t test well but I guarantee he will see the field and make plays on Sundays.  TJ is no spring chicken and it’s good to have Sawyer in to save TJ and let him play less snaps. Besides he will learn a few tricks from his new teammate.  Sawyer will be a guy Steelers fans love, will dominate on teams and add some depth and our most important defensive position.  Well done Omar and Andy!!!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
I wrote about the Sawyer pick today. The story should be published later on today or tomorrow morning. Omar has done a really good job of finding value in the middle rounds of the draft. Herbig was in his first draft class and then Payton Wilson last year. Sawyer could be the next mid-round gem. I like the pick too. Will be interesting to see who's here and who's not in 2-3 years, but he'll be a really solid No. 4 for now.
Tampa Too
12:07
Ray. Your thoughts on the Robert Woods signing?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
Not sure where he fits to be honest. If they keep Pickens it will be Pickens and Metcalf on the outside. Then you have Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin III in the slot as 3/4. I like Showronek as a No. 6/special teams ace. Maybe Woods is the No. 5? The hope is Wilson takes a step forward and is a part of the rotation. I'm reading Woods is insurance against Wilson getting hurt again or not progressing.
Yogi in Yonkers
12:10
Hoping this year's draft class isn't as snake-bitten as last year's. Fautanu and Wilson out for the year and now Watts out for good. Terrible. Did the team have plans for Watts? It sounded like they really liked the kid in the short time he was healthy.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
I think he was on track to make the 53-man roster. He was having a good camp. Football is a brutal sport. Players can have their careers ended on any play in a practice or a game.
Rich
12:11
Hi Ray. Nice work on the draft
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
Thanks for reading and following along, Rich.
Cowher Power
12:11
Hi Ray.  I thought Khan/Weidl had another solid draft.  They are methodically building cornerstone pieces to the team.  The major needs are slowly being filled… now to a franchise QB in 2026.  Unless Howard has the potential to be the starter next year after learning this year as QB3.  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
I'm with you. They have a year to evaluate Howard and then go get their QB in 2026. They've stuck to their plan. Khan and Weidl have a vision for how they build the team and they haven't wavered from it.
Steeler Joe
12:12
Hey, Ray. Any of the picks truly surprise you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
Sawyer because I didn't think they had an immediate need at OLB, but there is great value there in the fourth round. He was Daniel Jeremiah's 70th-ranked prospect. They got him at No. 123. And he fits the Steelers culture.
Rich
12:14
Ray how could this have been a successful draft when we didn’t get our requisite WR with Uber 1st round talent to couple  with even greater character issues and immaturity ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
Ha ha maybe that's the approach. Don't draft WRs.
Steeler Joe
12:14
I don't know about you, Ray, but I'm just gratified to see Sanders land with a storied franchise with a great, supportive infrastructure and a long track record of success with young QBs.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
The thing that amazes me is they're now in a position where they probably have to cut Pickett unless they plan to stash Gabriel or Sanders on the practice squad. And you can't really cut Gabriel because he's a third-round pick. It's just a very odd situation.
Rocky,
12:17
Hi Ray,  thanks for your chats.  Just curious with a crowded WR room, do you think Roman from Michigan will get much playing time next year??
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
He's going to have to prove his worth.
John in Florida
12:17
I have read of injury concerns with first round pick Harmon. He’s a truly inspirational story, but how concerning are the injury whispers.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
The Steelers medical staff gave the go-ahead to draft him. They are fine with his medicals.
Nate
12:17
Cousins the next man up if Rodgers flakes?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
If I'm the GM, I just go with Rudolph at that point.
Nate
12:18
How long do they wait on AR?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
Ideally, they get him signed for OTAs and minicamp, but training camp is likely their final deadline. They'll want an answer by then I think.
Big Daddy
12:19
Assuming Aaron Rodgers eventually comes here, do you think the Steelers will prioritize getting Will Howard enough work/reps to determine if they need to aggressively chase a QB in 2026, or is it already a foregone conclusion.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
They'll find ways to get plenty of reps for Howard in camp and during the season. Rodgers is 41. I'm sure he'll get plenty of off days during camp. Those are great opportunities for the other QBs to get reps.
Buckeyes
12:20
I'm a thrilled Buckeye after last weekend.  Does Sawyer have a shot at getting into the rotation this season and how does Howard fit if Rodgers is signed?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
I thought for a while there in the middle of last season it was a good rotation with Preston Smith as the fourth OLB. He produced for a while and then they started to sit him. I think Sawyer can be that guy and stay in the rotation.
Alan in Bama
12:21
Good morning Ray, seems like us Steelers fans are always euphoric about any acquisition whether FA, trade or draft. That said, this draft looks pretty solid. Which ones of the group look like high possibilities of being plug in starters this season?
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