Which rookie from this year’s draft class will play the most snaps in 2016? Artie Burns 16%; Sean Davis 52%; Sean Hargrave 32%; Travis Feeney 0%; Tyler Matakevich 0%
Ray Fittipaldo: welcome to my weekly Steelers chat. Post your questions and we’ll get started at 1:30.
Ray Fittipaldo: Obviously, in the poll question, I meant Javon Hargrave.
Jake: Hey Ray, how many of this years draft pics make the team?
Ray Fittipaldo: The top three -- Burns, Davis and Hargrave -- are locks. The rest of them, who knows? the Steelers have cut fourth-round picks in the past, including last year when Doran grant was released. he was added to the practice squad and later to the active roster late in the season, but he didn’t make the team out of camp. This year’s fourth-rounder, Jerald Hawkins, came out a year early and has a lot of developing to do. He’ll have to prove he can make the roster.
The Card Says Moops: Do you think they like Burns as much as they are saying, or is this a reaction to not getting the guy they really wanted (Jackson)?
Ray Fittipaldo: If that’s what they’re doing Kevin Colbert is a pretty good actor. When he was asked Saturday about the possibility of trading down in the first round he said it was never a consideration because they were picking Burns at No. 25 no matter what. He said it with conviction. That doesn’t mean they would not have taken William Jackson if he was there. They would have. It just means they liked Burns, too, and weren’t shy about pulling the trigger.
Kevin in Punxsy: What are your thoughts re: Burns - #1 and Davis -#2?
Ray Fittipaldo: Honestly, I’m in wait and see mode with both of them. They both ran 4.46 at the combine. They’re good athletes, have a lot of the measurables. Some have said they didn’t play well enough to be drafted where they were drafted, but the Steelers have confidence they can develop them. We’ll see how long they take to develop. The Steelers would be thrilled if they developed quickly because they need lots of help in the secondary.
The Card Says Moops: Draft was underwhelming. One thing I am glad about is that they didn’t draft a QB. Too many other needs. Grad and Jones are fine for now, agreed?
Ray Fittipaldo: They had their eye on Cardale Jones in the fourth round. There might have been another QB they would have considered, but once Jones was gone I think they were OK without drafting one. If Jones does not return for 2017 they almost have to draft one next year, no?
Randy: I think Colbert was telling the truth about Artie Burns. But it was really good to see them talk him up as opposed to Jerry Jones throwing Prescott under the bus. Act with class.
Ray Fittipaldo: I didn’t see what Jones said about Prescott. But I was in the room when Colbert spoke, and he said it with conviction.
TShip: Hi Ray, Still question some of the picks as reaches, do you think not only was defense a priority but team speed? Burns, Davis, and Feeney, if nothing else should be able to get to the ball.
Ray Fittipaldo: I’m writing about that exact subject later in the week. Will be in Wednesday or Thursday paper. They’ve actually drafted a lot of speed in the past three years if you look at it. But I’ll save my thoughts for the story.
RyanD: Ray my question is this, why so few DB’s were picked up by the Steelers? We got a couple, but went straight to special teams and nothing in the undrafted free agency.
Ray Fittipaldo: Well, Mike Mitchell and Robert Golden are signed long term and so are Gay, Golson, Grant and the two guys from this year. You really didn’t need quantity there. If they stay healthy they’re in pretty decent shape in terms of numbers.
Ben: Morning Ray, of the Steelers draft class, who do you feel is the most NFL ready?
Ray Fittipaldo: Good question. I think they’ll look for Hargrave to make an impact right away. They need him and nose guard isn’t a difficult position to learn. They need Burns and Davis, but those positions are more difficult to learn.
TShip: It’s hard to think a professional team looking to get ahead would be so petty but is it pure conspiracy theory to think that the Bungles taking Jackson at 24 wasn’t to spite the Steelers as much as anything considering their needs?
Ray Fittipaldo: The Bengals would be dumb if they drafted for spite. I think it probably speaks to their disappointment in Darqueze Dennard than anything. They drafted him in the first round in 2014 and he hasn’t played very much.
Adam: Why is everyone down on the draft? There are no guarantees and we have no way to judge anything about these players yet. All we do know is that we have tons of upside with this class and they could make an impact possibly this year but more likely in the years to come.
Ray Fittipaldo: That’s probably a good perspective.
GSK: Hi Ray, do the Steelers pick up Jarvis Jones 5th year option?
Ray Fittipaldo: I was hoping that news would come before the chat. It is interesting to me that it’s now late afternoon and we don’t have the news yet. I think they do, but I don’t feel really strong about it.
Adam: Should we think of Golson as a 2nd year player in terms of production or as a rookie? Should we give him till next year to draw conclusions?
Ray Fittipaldo: Well, he doesn’t have to learn anything. He should know the defense very well by now. There is no substitute for playing, but he should have the playbook down. I expect him to be the starting slot corner and so do the Steelers.
Adam: Based on this class is there any doubt in your opinion that we will be better than 30th in pass D?
Ray Fittipaldo: What if Burns and Davis don’t play? Or don’t contribute much? Is Golden better than Allen? Is Cockrell better than Blake? According to the coaching staff, they weren’t last year.
Dave: Fast forward 3-5 years. Who is the star of this draft class?
Ray Fittipaldo: I like Davis’ upside. That’s been a position for playmakers in the past. So if he can put it all together he’ll have a chance to make some plays.
Steve: I’ve read that Sean Davis was miscast in his senior season as a CB and that he struggles in certain coverages. Do you know why a team would have him switch to CB if he was effective previously as a safety? Was it him making a sacrifice for the team? Was he beat out at a Safety?
Ray Fittipaldo: Davis said Friday night that he switched to CB because the coaches asked him to move there. They switched from the ACC to the Big Ten and from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3. That’s why it happened, according to Davis.
Adam: How many more years do you think Big Ben has? I’m concerned the cumulative nature of being injured so much will cause him to walk away early.
Ray Fittipaldo: Tom Brady looks good at 39. Peyton Manning looked good until he was 38 or so. I think Ben should be good for another three or four years, at least.
Steve: Would you have selected Artie Burns #1 given the alternatives on the board at that time? He seems to be a raw talent guy with potential, but shouldn’t we have gotten a more solid 1st year starter in RD #1 if we could have?
Ray Fittipaldo: Like who? Did you see how far Andrew Billings, A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed fell? Their plummets show that teams were never really big on drafting DTs in Round 1. And with Joseph overdrafted by the Raiders, which safety would you have chosen there? They had needs to fill and they filled one of them with a CB who has all the skills necessary for the position. Now it’s up to the coaches to draw that potential out of him.
Ben: Did anyone predict Billings falling that far? He was mentioned as a potential first rounder for sometime and it was surprising that they valued Hargrave more in round 3.
Ray Fittipaldo: If teams truly perceived Billings as a one-, maybe two-down player then it’s not surprising. More versatile linemen went before him. If you only play 25 percent of the snaps in games, what is your true worth to a team? According to the NFL, Billings is only worth a fourth-round pick.
Steve: How is it possible for a guy like Matakevich to have such a decorated college career, yet have such a horrible draft profile…..is this guy a steal or will the Butkus Award winner not even make the team?
Ray Fittipaldo: Speed and agility are important to NFL teams. He doesn’t have the athletic profile that other linebackers have, but he was super productive. He’s got a long way to go before he makes the roster, but at least he’ll get a shot to prove himself.
Steve: SI gave New Orleans a grade of A for selecting Vonn Bell after the Steelers took a Davis…a not so sure CB or a S pick. They say Bell can start immediately, with substantial impact..did Steelers miss on this pick?
Ray Fittipaldo: Let’s wait and see how they play. Davis is the more athletic player, and it’s been fairly obvious the Steelers are trying to collect athletes on defense.
Adam: What does it say about the OLBs that Harrison is now considered the savior of the team at 38 while we let him walk to cincy? I would also question the team evaluators who thought he was over the hill in the first place.
Ray Fittipaldo: Who thinks he’s a savior? He split time with Jarvis Jones last year. He played well, but the really important players on that defense are Cam Heyward, Stephon Tuitt and Ryan Shazier. Those guys are the playmakers. Maybe Bud Dupreee will develop into one this year.
DFWSteeler: What can we expect out Zumwalt and Chickillo this year?
Ray Fittipaldo: I’d say Zumwalt is a longshot to make the team. Chickillo will battle with sixth-round pick Travis Feeney for the final OLB spot.
Kevin in Punxsy: Not trying to stir the pot, but with Fleeny having played safety a couple of years, is there any possibility of the Steelers trying him there?
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes, in 2018 Ryan Shazier and Travis Feeney will be the starting safeties.
Francis: Odd they passed on Billings repeatedly in rounds 2/3/4 - why do you think someone mocked to go in the first round dropped so much?
Ray Fittipaldo: Not versatile enough for today’s NFL.
Kevin: The Steelers drafted based more for need than value this season, why do you think that changed?
Ray Fittipaldo: Because they had obvious holes to fill on defense and they decided to fill their holes on offense through free agency.
TSgt Fisher: Ray, Am I the only one who is underwhelmed by the resigning of Gradkowski? Seems to me we are in trouble with him and Jones as back ups next year if Ben gets hurt. Could they look at adding another veteran after camp cuts?
Ray Fittipaldo: The Steelers are in trouble if Ben gets hurt next year no matter what.
JamesinNYC: One thing I noticed is that the “experts” grade these players and say Burns for example was a reach but they don’t say .... well I blew my grade on Cash from Duke. Do you know anything on Billings knee as that appears to be what dropped him?
Ray Fittipaldo: As far as I know, Billings doesn’t have a knee issue. I know that was reported for a short time Friday and Saturday, but then someone reported that there were no issues with the knee at all.
Guest: What are the advantages to picking up Jones’ option?
Ray Fittipaldo: You have a starter under your control for about $8 million for another year.
Jud: Defense was on the upswing at the end of last year and adding 5 on D in the draft means that we should be looking at getting into the top half of defensive rankings if not top 5? Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo: Well, they were No. 21 last season, so if they make a move to top 5 that’s pretty darn good.
mt steel: I saw a good safety Jeremy Cash from Duke was not drafted and was signed by the Panthers. How does a team grab one of those undrafted guys? Is it all about who offers more money? He seems like he would have been a nice signing to see his ability with no risk. He had high grades
Ray Fittipaldo: It’s about the offer and it’s about opportunity at that point. The undrafted free agent wants to go to a team that is thin at his position.
Randy: I can’t think of any reason they wouldn’t pick up JJ’s option. It’s only guaranteed for injury.Makes sense to pick it up, no?
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes, unless he blows out his knee in Week 16 and they’re on the hook for his salary next season when he can’t play.
Bear: What are the chances that our rookies see the field? We just don’t seem to get them ready to play early.
Ray Fittipaldo: I would disagree with you. Jarvis Jones, Ryan Shazier and Bud Dupree all started games as rookies. Jones wasn’t ready and had to be replaced, but Shazier and Dupree held their own. They made a conscious decision to play rookies more a few years ago.
Zack B: What are we going to do about the OLB spot? Jarvis has not produced and Harrison is old. I assume this spot will be a high draft pick next year?
Ray Fittipaldo: That certainly seems like a possibility, but they could still sign Jones to a long term deal
Rcasias: I think the question should be how many more superbowls Ben wins before he retires? I say 2!
Ray Fittipaldo: He’d only be satisfied with three more. He wants to stand alone atop the record book with the most Super Bowls ever.
Guest: Did you or Ed have Artie Burns on the radar?
Ray Fittipaldo: I did not. Can’t speak for Ed.
al: By not picking this fifth year option, this means that the player ir a Free Agent ?
Ray Fittipaldo: No. Still one year left on contract if fifth year option is not picked up.
Scott A: IF WJIII had made it to our pick would we have drafted him over Burns?
Ray Fittipaldo: I believe the answer is yes.
Randy: We were only an unfortunate play away from the Championship game last year. If we get any help from this draft class it can only help. We shouldn’t have so many injuries to overcome this year. I hope at least. Right?
Ray Fittipaldo: That would be one unlucky season if they did.
Jud: We didn’t pick up a rookie TE...are we covered then with Green/Spaeth?
Ray Fittipaldo: And Jesse James and a practice squad player by the name of Xavier Grimble.
Adam: What should we expect from Coates this season?
Ray Fittipaldo: If he is ready to contribute I would expect him to get as many snaps as Martavis Bryant the past few years. It’s up to Coates what he does with those snaps.
Adam: Do you think Josh Norman will be able to keep AB in check week one?
Ray Fittipaldo: That’s a tall task. He’d do well to hold him to 80 yards and a touchdown.
Guest: Would you prefer Anthony Chickillo or Travis Feeney? Same for DeMarcus Ayers and Eli Rogers
Ray Fittipaldo: Can I watch them compete for six weeks at training camp first, please
Mark G: Hi Ray. Does Big Dan start at nose tackle this year? If not, who does?
Ray Fittipaldo: Hargrave will push him.
Guest: Is the left tackle spot now a 3 way competition?
Ray Fittipaldo: I think it’s a two-man competition. This is shaping up as a redshirt year for Hawkins.
Alan: It is funny people complain we havent drafted a CB in the 1st round and our CB’s are short so we draft a tall CB in the 1st rd and everyone complains
Ray Fittipaldo: This
Adam: What would it have taken for the Steelers to leapfrog the Benglas and take Jackson? Would it have been worth it? Did they ever consider anything besides CB in round one?
Ray Fittipaldo: Trades within the division are rare. I know the Browns and Steelers did it a few years ago, but they don’t happen all that often.
Karl: Who is your favorite Steelers pick this season?
Ray Fittipaldo: Matakevich, because he was the last one and it signaled the end to a long day!
Mike C.: Ray, thanks for the chat! What North Division team gives Pittsburgh the biggest challenge this season - given their current draft picks and why?
Ray Fittipaldo: Bengals have a good roster and have played the Steelers tough the past few years. The Ravens always play the Steelers tough too, but they struggled vs. everyone else last year and finished 5-11.
Randy: When Jackson went to Cincy, that left only Burns on the board for the Steelers. High character guy with lots of desire. I think it worked out right.
SoCal Steeler Nation: Hi Ray, Please tell me Ayers is faster than his combine / pro day times
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes he is. Danny Smith said he plays fast in his pads.
Adam: I said leapfrog them meaning get ahead of Cincy.
Ray Fittipaldo: Depends on how many spots you wanted to go up. The thing is, the Bengals needed a WR and not a CB. There really was no way to predict they’d take Jackson. But the WRs they wanted were gone so they took Jackson.
Randy: Do we have a new punt returner/slot receiver?
Ray Fittipaldo: For a few weeks this summer at camp and some preseason games. Anything beyond that, let’s wait to see if he’s capable of making the roster
Guest: Does Feeney project inside or outside?
Ray Fittipaldo: Outside
Ray Fittipaldo: That’s it for this week, folks. Thanks for all the great questions.
First Published: May 2, 2016, 1:39 p.m.
Updated: May 2, 2016, 7:31 p.m.