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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 4.15.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
Nothing against Washington and Moncrief, but have either proved capable of being a No. 2 in this league? I think they are hoping Washington does that this year, but he had a very rocky rookie year. You can't count on him. They almost have to take a WR in the first three rounds if the value is there.
tom
12:22
thoughts on Ed leaving?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
Ed probably did more for me than anyone at the P-G. He fought for me to be added as a third Steelers writer five or six years ago. He asked the editors to being me on. They listened to him, and it's been a great move for me. Listen, it's a great move for Ed and it's great for me. I get to have more of a voice in the P-G's Steelers coverage.
Bring me on...
Mike
12:25
What is the likelihood the Steelers leverage picks to move up in the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
I think they'll investigate moving up thoroughly.
TC in Big D
12:25
I keep hearing mocks with the Steelers taking Marquise Brown. Please tell me that there is 0% chance that we pick Antonio Brown's cousin. Please put our minds at ease. Could they pick him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
I don't think they will, but they did meet with him at the combine.
Bones
12:26
Is there someone in this draft that may drop to us at No.20 that the Steelers never thought would be possible, like DeCastro did?  Maybe TJ Hockenson?  Who would you like to see in this scenario magically drop to us?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
If Hockenson somehow fell to 20 they would have to consider him. He's like Heath Miller. He'll be your starting TE for the next decade and he'd start right away. That'd make Vance McDonald a very expensive No. 2, but they do use two TE sets a lot so it wouldn't be like they'd be wasting money.
Guest
12:27
Do you think there’s a chance we could move back a few spots in round 1 and pick up another 3rd round pick. Obviously we won’t use all ten picks, I expect the Steelers to do a lot of wheeling and dealing. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
They'd have to have a detailed plan because as you mentioned they already have 10 picks. So they'd have to have some things lined up with teams beforehand. This is a deep draft at several positions so there is value in those middle rounds. That's why I don't discount it completely. It's just going to be hard with all those picks already in the hopper.
CJ
12:28
If JuJu gets hurt the Steelers are screwed. Should they double dip at WR in this years draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
They'll definitely take one. I'd be surprised with a second WR unless it was in the sixth or seventh round.
Peasant 1963
12:29
Would or should, iyo, the Steelers consider Haskins if he is there when they pin rd. #1
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
Yeah because they should draft a QB three years in a row.
Kalamazoo Dave
12:29
Do you think the Steelers should consider taking a punter in Round 6 or 7 - appears to be two good punters available?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
I'd be OK with that if they addressed their immediate needs by that point.
DeepWaterLife
12:30
tj hock or nasir adderley who has more value at 1:20
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
Hockenson by far.
CJ
12:30
Murphy or Hock at 20 if both are there?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
Now that's a good one. Hockenson is almost a sure thing. Not flashy, but he's not going to disappoint. Murphy... the only thing I question is his athletic profile. He's not big and he's not super fast. I love his production. I love his tape. I just wonder about guarding elite WRs at the NFL level week in and week. But I like him best of all the CBs.
Guest
12:32
Knowing how Bruce Arians is still bitter about his "retirement" from Steelers, would he purposely draft Devin White at #5 to help prevent Steelers from getting Bush? ILB is a moderate need for the Bucs.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
Bruce will draft the best player for the Bucs. He doesn't care about what the Steelers might do 15 picks later.
CJ
12:33
The Steelers were way ahead of the game when they selected Shazier.  They saw the evolution of smaller faster ILBs being more valuable in today’s game. Makes it all the more frustrating that they are in the position they are today chasing one.  Do you think that plays into them possibilities doing whatever it takes to get Bush?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
Yes I think it's a factor. Now whatever it takes is a pretty broad statement. I don't think they'll do whatever it takes, but I think they'll look hard at trading up if it comes to that.
Ryno
12:34
Which position do you think would be a bigger asset for the defense; ILB, or CB?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
Both, but if I had to pick one as a bigger priority it's ILB because they signed Steven Nelson in free agency.
SteelersVAfan
12:35
Ray, as I recall the Steelers were high on Sean Davis playing FS his rookie year. I believe the ProFF nerds indicated the same. Now they may let him walk after his rookie contract is up. What happened? Slow decline? No development? Lack of splash plays? Other? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
He's played almost everywhere in the secondary and hasn't really found a home. If you recall, Artie Burns was injured during their rookie camp in 2016 so Davis started the season as the slot CB. Then, in the middle of the season, they moved him to strong safety. Then they moved him to free before last season. It's an interesting evaluation for Colbert and his staff. Davis hasn't really done much to earn a second contract, but it's not like he's been given an opportunity to settle at one position. Let's see what they do this summer. Obviously, if they draft a safety high it won't be a good sign for him.
Les Lee
12:38
Ray, everybody keeps saying that Moncrief will have a great year for the Steelers because he will now have a HOF QB trowing to him. Didn't Moncrief start his career with Andrew Luck? I think Luck is just as good as Ben?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
He did, but he didn't get to play all that much with him. Luck was injured for much of Moncrief's tenure in Indy. When Luck was playing I think Moncrief put up decent numbers.
Utah Jim
12:38
Is this a make or break year for Tuitt?  He hasn’t done much since signed the big contract albeit he’s been injured.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
Yeah that's a good call. They're certainly expecting more from someone that's making $12 million a year.
David Little
12:39
Sean Davis is just another guy in my opinion. Time to get a ball hawk back there! How do the Steelers feel about him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
We'll find out soon. Like I said, if they draft one in the first three rounds it's probably not a good sign for him. But we'll know for sure when the season starts. If he's unsigned by game 1 they're willing to let him walk. They sign players they want to keep before the season begins.
Guest
12:40
I worry that Hakeem Butler has Limas Sweed  potential.  Lots of varying opinions of him.  Would you be upset if they drafted him at #20 ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
I like Hakeem Butler. Not sure if I like him at 20. Drops were a problem in college. But he does have the size, speed and playmaking ability to make him a coveted player. I'd love him at 52.
Skot
12:41
Not much noise about the need at OLB. With only one legitimate long-term starter on the roster (Watt) and the Barron signing, would you be surprised to see the Steelers pick OLB in the first? I'm not hearing much about that position and the talent available in the draft.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
I wouldn't be totally surprised. I mocked Brian Burns to them at 20 in my most recent mock draft. I still think ILB and CB are bigger needs, but we all know there is some uncertainty with Dupree and his long-term status.
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