JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 3.26.18

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 3.26.18

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Matt

12:35

With McClullers,Alualu,Walton as top backup dlineman, do you still think we need to spend a draft pick on a backup?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:35

I think they will draft a DL. McCullers being signed does nothing to change the way they approach the draft.

Matt

12:35

Chickillo & Adams good enough at backup OLB?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:36

For a game or two? Probably. For a long-term injury? Probably not.

Matt

12:36

Does Sensabaugh get cut eventually? You got Haden,Burns,Hilton,Sutton,Allen,Phillips at the cb spot.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:36

Maybe but he's only on the books for $1.5 million or so I think.

Matt

12:36

Next year top 4 safety’s Burnett,Davis,Wilcox & Dangerfield?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:37

They'll draft a S and that will change the depth chart behind Burnett and Davis. I'm not convinced Wilcox will be on the 53-man roster next season.

Reggie

12:37

Hi Ray, lately I’ve been seeing more mock drafts with the top 4 ILB’s gone by the 28th pick. If that happens what other Linebackers could be a good fit for Steelers?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:38

Guys like Darius Leonard and Malik Jefferson and others might be available in rounds 2 or 3.

Toney

12:38

What will Cam Sutton’s role be with the defense next season?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:38

I would imagine top backup CB and the dime DB, taking over for Gay.

12:38

Who are the players from the local universities that the Steelers could possibly draft like they did with James Conner?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:39

WR Jester Weah of Pitt, Quadree Henderson of Pitt. I suppose S Jordan Whitehead of Pitt although he had some off-field issues in college. There are a bunch of guys from PSU. I had them taking S Troy Apke in my latest mock draft in the fifth round.

CanadianSteelersFan

12:39

With Todd Haley joining the Browns and their new added talent, do you see them giving the Steelers some trouble this year? Hopefully the Steelers are prepared for some short screen passes.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:40

The Browns gave the Steelers trouble in both games last year and they went winless. Yes, I expect the Browns to be much better.

TDtoledo

12:40

What's your best guess on why the Steelers kept (so far) JJ Wilcox?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:40

Right now it's because of depth issues at the position.

jake

12:40

after seeing what some of these rookie RB's did last year, specifically Hunt and Kamira, how can we justify paying Bell $14 million this year when we can get someone a lot cheaper in the draft?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:41

There are no sure things in the draft. They have a sure thing in Bell. That's the way they're thinking. At least for one more year it seems.

Doug in Raleigh

12:41

Do you get the sense that the Steelers are rethinking trying to retain Bell at an exhorbitant cost? Or are the Guice stories just them doing due diligence?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:41

They interview and have dinner with a lot of guys. It doesn't mean they are going to draft them.

RIPChief

12:42

Is this Colbert’s last year if they don’t show significant improvement? Could have been big players in FA and changed the level of defensive play immediately with $20M+ available. Instead he’s banking on an oft injured, immature RB, albeit best RB in the game, with some question marks and hitting on all Day 1 and 2 draft picks to take the next step.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:42

I don't see Colbert going anywhere unless he wants to retire.

Ryno

12:43

What are your thoughts on Chickillo?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:43

Decent backup.

RIPChief

12:43

In your opinion, is a Steelers team with Bell, Bostic, and Burnett better than a team with Hyde or Lewis, Williamson, and Mathieu. They could have had the latter with the $6.3M cap space they created and still been $3.3-$4.5M under the cap. Would have only required minor restructuring for the draft picks if they keep Wilcox.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:43

I don't think your math is right. I think your option would have been more expensive.

Lousy John

12:43

Ray, pre-draft, how do you size up the AFC North? Any change in the pecking order?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:44

Steelers, Ravens and then Bengals and Browns. I wouldn't be surprised if the Browns finished with a better record than the Bengals this season.

Phil

12:44

Barkley also has an impeccable reputation. I'd be surprised if he isn't taken by #4.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:44

Agree. If a guy like McCaffrey went in the top 10 last year I can't see Barkley not going in the top 5.

jake

12:45

do you see anyone whos's penciled in as a starter being pushed by their backup? I think Sutton has a chance to push Burns for starting CB opposite Haden

Ray Fittipaldo

12:45

Burns has to find consistency to his game. He has talent. I think we might see him pushed by Sutton next season, but it will have more to do with his ability to learn and comprehend than talent.

Phil

12:46

What does Connor have to do to get more playing time this year?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:46

Not get injured first and foremost. But not much else he can do. They're paying a back $14.5 million. They're going to get as much out of him as they can.

Richard

12:46

How early could we draft another OLB this year? Especially if we don’t intend to extend Bud

Ray Fittipaldo

12:47

Pretty much any round.

JamesinNYC

12:48

Rudolf "fits" as a Big Ben replacement....is that the scariest thing? Hasselbeck was saying he is the most accurate deep passer...sounds like Ben.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:49

I know they are doing their due diligence but I don't see it this year.