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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 4.22.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:00
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started. Post your questions and we'll get it going.
BIG TEX
11:00
Which of the Ole Miss WRs do you think would be a better fit for the Steelers? Metcalf or Brown?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:01
Both are really good players. Brown is sort of like JuJu Smith-Schuster. Just a really good receiver, not blazing fast, versatile, can play inside or outside. Not sure they need a JuJu clone though. Metcalf is what they need -- big, fast, bug-play receiver. Not sure they pull the trigger if he's there at No. 20, but he probably is a better fit.
Utah Jim
11:01
Many are saying the Steelers can’t keep all ten picks, but they always compete with other teams for undrafted free agents.  Why not use the picks for a few players they are interested in?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:02
They have used 10 picks in the past. I wouldn't be all that surprised if they used 10. They did it in 2010. That was one of Colbert's best classes. I think there has been more speculation about not using them this year because they need the draft capital for a potential deal.
BIG TEX
11:02
Does Winovich at 20 seem likely to you? And how much of a reach would that be?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:04
I think Winovich would be a reach at 20 but not 52. With his performance at the combine he put himself squarely in the conversation for the second round. He's good. There is some discussion about whether he is a 4-3 DE or if he could play 3-4 OLB. Some think he's only 4-3 DE, but the numbers he posted at the combine suggest he is athletic enough to play 3-4 OLB.
Tom
11:04
If both Devins are gone, I assume they will go corner. Which CB do they like the best and why?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:08
There is not a clear-cut No. 1 CB this year. Lots of discussion about the order, but there is no consensus. The top three or four are Byron Murphy, DeAndre Baker, Greedy Williams and Rock Ya-Sin. I like Murphy the best, but he only ran 4.55 at the combine. That has to be a concern for teams. He's probably not going to get any faster even though he's only 20 or 21. Greedy is the one with the most potential, but I've also heard his inconsistencies are a concern for some teams. The Steelers brought in Murphy, Baker and Ya-Sin. I think they like all of them for different reasons, but Murphy fits their profile -- young early entrant, good in run support and productive, which they are supposed to be stressing this year, according to GM Kevin Colbert.
BIG TEX
11:08
The Jets (3) and Lions (8) have expressed interest in moving back to get more picks this year. Are these the best shots at getting Devin White? and what might that cost?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:09
Forget about going to 3. If they try to get to 8 it likely would cost them their first, early third, fourth and early fifth. Or something like that. That's pretty expensive. If you do that you had better be sure the player you take is going to be a star.
Chuck B
11:10
Looking at many Mock Drafts it seems like the Bengals Pick at #11 is the pivotal one to determine if the Steelers have a legitimate shot at Devin Bush.  Do you agree and in your expert opinion how do you see that playing out?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:12
I agree. The Bengals have a need because Vontaze Burfict was released. But they also need a QB and could use some help on the line. Not a slam dunk, but the Broncos could be a trade partner at No. 10 if the Steelers are worried about the Bengals.
greg in lewisville, texas
11:12
Ray,  When the Steelers bring in the college 'prospects' for a visit, do the Steelers other than the airfare, also pick up the lodging and other incidentals that go along with the visit?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:12
Yes the NFL teams pick up the bill.
AG8R
11:12
Presumably, if players are rising on draft boards, that others must be falling.  What would happen if the Steelers had a choice between Devin Bush and a D Lineman they had rated higher, but had fallen to 20; ie. Ed Oliver?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:13
I'd still take Bush because of the need at the position, but I'd be ecstatic taking Oliver if Bush was off the board. I'd make that work somehow. That being said, I don't think Oliver will be there.
DaquidoBazzini
11:13
Hi, Ray- Something that makes me wonder is the Steeler need for CB in the 1st round, if they extend Joe Haden.
With the addition of Steven Nelson, and Haden possibly being extended, you are then essentially spending  your 1st round pick on a slot CB.
Correct me if I’m wrong.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:14
Or Steven Nelson could move to the slot. He played in the slot in KC for a portion of his time there.
t dukes
11:14
what happened to the FA ILB from Florida State who made the team last year? haven't seen his name listed on team since season ended.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:14
He signed with the Ravens after the season ended.
DaquidoBazzini
11:14
I would lean towards not extending Sean Davis, as he has lacked play making skills. If the FO feels the same, might Safety be a higher need than expected?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:15
Yes, I would not be surprised if they took a safety as early as the second round. And if the ILBs are off the board it could happen in the first. Not ideal if that happens, but I could see that.
MikeEE
11:16
Ray, what is your opinion about Rock Ya-sin? Sounds like a solid team player who has upside but raw. Is he Artie Burns II?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:16
Rock Ya-Sin played at FCS Presbyterian for three years before transferring to Temple. Has been on the radar for lots of teams at the end of the first round or early second round.
Steeler Joe
11:17
Thanks for the chat, Ray. I realize defense is a top priority in this draft. But isn't replacing AB's mammoth production just as crucial? And if the Steelers pretty much have their pick of WRs in the first round, isn't it just as defensible to take a game-breaker there and fill your ILB, CB and S needs in the second and third rounds, where there will be bargains to find?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:18
If the Devins are going I think WR is in play at No. 20 if they really love someone who is still on the board. Pretty much every position other than QB, OL and DL would be in play there.
Bob
11:18
Analysts say this is a deep edge rusher group this year.   I would love Chase Winovich if he fell to the 2nd, but that seems doubtful.  Who are some realistic names for the Steelers' fans to keep an eye out for on Day 2 or 3 of the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:19
I think Winovich could be there at No. 52. They brought in Ben Banogu of TCU and Jordan Brailford of Oklahoma State. Brailford is 3-4 round range and Banogu 4-5 round range. There are others, but I'd look for them to address the position somewhere in the middle rounds depending upon who's left.
Steeler Joe
11:19
What gets picked first: offensive lineman or defensive lineman?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:20
Probably DL.
Steeler Joe
11:20
Do you think Ramon Foster's starting job (and, for that matter, roster spot) is guaranteed, or could it be up for grabs?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:20
I think they signed him to be a starter. They're paying him somewhere around $4 million this year. That's not backup money.
Steeler Joe
11:21
I cannot shake this feeling that the Steelers are going to shock everyone with their first-round pick for the second year in a row...maybe take a guy that nobody has on the radar that early...
Ray Fittipaldo
11:21
Wouldn't surprise me. This is a deep draft but not necessarily all that great where the Steelers are picking in Round 1. It could be a player they really like and others not so much.
@BENZADO
11:22
The likelihood that either of the Devin's will be available at 20 is ridiculous.  You know this. To AGAIN neglect the LB position in the draft would leave us (again) with an obviously flawed defense. Conversely, hitting it big with a first round pick might just push us into the Superbowl. I cannot remember in my 47 years of covering the Steelers a more binary outcome. Ray, what sort of "trade bait" will it take to get us in the top ten? PS: If the Steelers pick a first round TE, I am OUT and will become a Browns fan!
Ray Fittipaldo
11:22
If they want to go up to 10 and make a trade with Denver it will take their first, early third round pick, fourth round pick and probably a sixth or seventh as well.
Utah Jim
11:23
As more teams add Linebackers and Safeties that run fast and can cover will we see power running offenses be more successful?  Kind of what the Patriots did last season.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:23
I think you're onto something, and as usual, the Patriots were ahead of the curve.
Jim
11:23
Doesn't moving out of the first round and then trading back up into the 2nd and 3rd rounds make more sense? No first round pick but more 2nd and 3rd rounders. We don't need 10 picks and can use 5-7 to move up in 2-3?
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