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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 4.15.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:54
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and we'll get started.
Pete
11:56
Who do you pick at 20: Greedy Williams, Deandre Baker, or Byron Murphy?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
If I'm the GM I go with Byron Murphy. He has ball skills so he can help with turnovers. He comes up and hits in run support, which is always important for the Steelers. He's not real big and he only ran a 4.55 at the combine so there are some concerns. But he'd be my choice. Greedy has everything you look for in a CB -- height, athleticism and he has ball skills too. Questions about his consistency so I'd take him next and then Backer third.
Professor Flush
11:58
Is there a bigger need to draft a blocking TE or a pass catching TE with some speed? Are they looking to improve from Grimble and the loss of James in free agency?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
Good question. There are not any indications thus far that the offense will undergo a major change this offseason. Of course what they do in the draft will foreshadow any possible changes. It would be nice if they got a good blocking TE, but they're hard to come by these days in the draft. The colleges just don't produce them much anymore. They use two TE sets a lot so my guess is it will be a pass-catching TE with some blocking skills. The only dominant blocker in this draft is TJ Hockenson, and he's likely to be gone by the time the Steelers pick in the first round.
BlackJack Bill
12:00
Is it time to ditch the 3/4 defense and play a 4/3 on first and second down? Your thoughts would be appreciated!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
They've drafted the past few years as if they're planning to stick with it for a while as their base defense. You have pure OLBs like Dupree and Watt getting drafted in the first round. But as most know, they play 4-3 in sub-packages quite a bit so they have some 4-3 personnel and will continue to draft with that in mind.
HokeyPokey Bar
12:02
Who is the one player in the upcoming draft who is rocketing up the boards due to his combine or pro day workouts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
Devin Bush for one. He was a late first or early second round pick at the beginning of the process and now he's being mentioned in the top half of the first round. Running a 4.43 as an ILB will do that. Devin White of LSU ran 4.42. That time seemed to solidify him as a top 10 pick. But he already was being mentioned as one of the top defenders in this draft.
john
12:03
Why do the Steeler's not have projected top picks come in for visits?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
They meet with many of their first-round targets at their pro days. But they did have Byron Murphy and DeAndre Baker in for visits. They're both projected as first-round CBs.
TXSTEELER
12:04
Faneca and other vets were critical of MT when he 1st arrived due to how hard/strict he was. When/why did that change? Bee asking for weeks, please answer now that the Brown/Bell stuff has passed.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
I don't know if there is a time I can pinpoint, but Tomlin himself acknowledges he treats star players differently than others. He doesn't apologize for it. But perhaps it's time for him to make some changes in that regard. If he does it will be fun to watch if he can jam the toothpaste back into the tube, so to speak.
Rich
12:05
Ray thanks for all of your work. I think a lot of us are still scratching our heads over Boz 2018?? Can you clarify.. was he hurt, did he just snap mentally, or both?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
Only hurt at the end. He injured himself pregame in New Orleans. He kicked in that game but did not in the finale versus the Bengals. No other injuries that I am aware of. He just had an off year. A very off year.
Professor Flush
12:06
Are there any current Steeler practice squad players who might earn a spot on the final 53 man roster this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
Maybe Lavon Hooks and maybe Bucky Hodges. Hooks is a DL who has been around for a while. They need a sixth DL after not bringing LT Walton back. Also depends on what they do in the draft. They could draft a DL. Hodges is a TE who runs pretty well. Also depends on if they draft a TE. I might be missing someone, but that's it off the top of my head.
AL456
12:09
Hey Ray, I know the priority is on getting one of the top ILB’s, but with our schedule and considering the slot WR’s we’ll be going up against this year, I would put a similar if not higher priority on getting a taller, better coverage Nickel-back. Do you know if the Steelers have eyes on any CB’s in the draft to directly fill that role? Who would be your pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
Sure. Just take a look at the prospects that have come through for predraft visits. It's heavy on versatile DBs -- players that can play CB and S. They really like Darnell Savage of Maryland. He was in for a visit. They've also had Justin Layne come through and Sean Bunting too.
DaquidoBazzini
12:11
Hi Ray - If both Devins are gone when the Steelers pick at #20....
And the Steelers plan to sign CB Joe Haden to an extension....Doesn’t it make sense that they then go WR (where there is a lot of talent)?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
Not sure the value will be there for a WR at No. 20 unless there is someone they absolutely love there. This draft is deep for WRs in the second round and after. I've seen some analysts say there might only be one WR taken in the first round. That's not to say it's a bad WR class, maybe just not heavy at the top with elite talents. I'm guessing second or third round for a WR.
Andy
12:13
Greetings Ray. I believe the FA signings this year are much more solid compared to last year. I think Barron and Moncrief are good fits and will do nicely (especially Moncrief having a HOF QB throwing passes to him). That all being said, do you think Bush is worth what it would take to move up the draft board to get him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
I think they might do it for a couple of reasons. There is a big dropoff from Bush and White to the next ILB -- Mack Wilson, who might not get taken until the third round. So if you;re going to get an impact ILB in this draft you might have to pull the trigger on a trade. Plus, I think Bush is a player who can help the Steelers. He might be small, but he can run from sideline to sideline and he's good in coverage.
DeepWaterLife
12:14
odd we can get hock at 20? or nasir adderley in top 2 rounds? or a decent edge rusher/ola stepping up to replace bum dupree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
I think Hockenson will be gone by 20. He's a really good all-around TE. They've been looking at mid-round OLBs in the predraft process. Doesn't mean they won't draft one higher, but most of the players that have come through have been mid-round prospects.
DatBoiGood1
12:15
With the draft about a week away, who is your Top 3 choices for Rd 1? Mine are 1. Devin Bush 2. Byron Murphy 3. DeAndre Baker
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
I like your first two choices. I'm not as high on Baker as some others. But as I noted earlier they had him in for a visit so it appears they are doing their homework on him.
Chuck_in_DC
12:16
Ray... I have to get up at 5:00 a.m. everyday... Do you think it will be worth waiting up until the Steelers make their 1st pick?  LOL
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
Sure, it'll come earlier this year because they're drafting at 20. Maybe by 9:45 or 10.
MTScott
12:17
How much would you give up to move up in the draft to get Devin Bush?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
Honestly, it depends on how the draft unfolds. The Steelers won't know that until they see what happens in the first 9 or 10 picks. Some have speculated they might have to get to 10 to get Bush. Others say the teens. And still in other mock drafts there are some who believe he'll be there at 20 and they won't have to trade up at all to get him.
Mark from Hampton
12:18
Do you see any scenario where they use Josh Dobbs as a slash player this year? He looks like he could fit in as a wideout
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
I don't have the same feeling. That's a hard no for me.
Jason in Slippery Rock
12:18
What's with all the pre-draft RB visits?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
Good question. I'm going to write about that later in the week. Lots of guys in the second-fourth-round range too. Doesn't mean they will draft an RB that high, but it sure seems like a possibility now.
Brody 43
12:20
With the addition of Donte Moncrief, WR shouldn't be as big a priority in the draft. Do you think that he could be a good fit as a Number 2 ?  Or, should we expect Washington to make the next step?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
I expect Washington to take the next step. I think Moncrief will compete to be a No. 3 or 4 WR depending upon what happens in the draft.
Ken Ward
12:21
Do you think the Steelers feel comfortable with their FA upgrades to the point where they will pick a TE or WR with the 20th pick, or BPA? thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
I think a WR is in play at 20 but not likely. Unlikely for a TE unless Hockenson somehow falls into their lap.
CanadianSteelersFan
12:21
Do you really feel as though our need at WR is as great as most believe? I know we lost one of the best in AB, but with JUJU and James on the outside and Rodgers/Switzer in the slot I feel like we’re in good shape. Plus factor in the Moncrief signing and the WR room is looking pretty crowded right now. I would think a WR drafted before the 3rd round would be a wasted pick.
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