Ray Fittipaldo: Welcome draft fans. Let's start the chat!
Stairway to seventh seed: Ray: I love your mock draft, mainly because it doesn't reach for a center with injury concerns or that would be converting from tackle at 20, but why do you think that Roman Wilson can pull his John Stallworth imitation and fall to pick #84? It is a huge risk to wait on a needed WR2 until 84.
Ray Fittipaldo: This is a very deep draft for WRs. There will be good ones available in the third round. You have to remember the Steelers got Emmanuel Sanders in the third round. They got Mike Wallace in the third round. Some teams simply won't have a major need to draft a WR in the first two days. They might need help at other positions.
TRX: True or false? Nate Herbig will be the starting center to begin the regular season.
Ray Fittipaldo: We'll know by midnight Friday. But did you notice Omar Khan mentioned the internal options at center once again yesterday? He's been very consistent doing that.
Guest from VA: Hey Ray! Do you think they may pick a QB in the later rounds? I wouldn't mind seeing them get Jordan Travis or Spencer Rattler. Thanks for your chats!
Ray Fittipaldo: Khan said he is open to the possibility of drafting a QB just not in the first round. And honestly, it's not a big need unless they know internally that they won't be doing business with Wilson or Fields beyond this season. And I just can't imagine that's the case.
Fake News: It has been said that one of Tomlin’s strengths is drafting receivers. We seem to draft receivers almost annually. If so, why does our position group have one talented guy who is a team cancer and then a bunch of nobodies?
Ray Fittipaldo: Because they just got rid of another bad apple in Diontae Johnson. Other teams have similar issues with WRs. Look at the Bills and Stephon Diggs. Courtland Sutton wants out of Denver. Brandon Aiyuk wants out of San Francisco. It's not just a Steelers-centric problem. The Steelers will address their holes at WR this weekend.
Mocking It Up: Hey Ray. Lots of mock drafts these days. I have a real challenge if you are up for it. Instead of guessing who the Steelers will pick, can you guess which player will go in the first round, turn out to be a bust with the team that drafted him, then sign with the Steelers in the next 4-6 years? Tomlin loves those guys!
Ray Fittipaldo: Ha ha. You pay attention. I could go down the list, but he did it with Justin Gilbert and Taco Charlton just to name two. There are many more.
Children or Adults: Forget about the talent and stats for a minute, what does the maturity level of the wide receiver class look like? Are there a lot of guys with red flags such as laziness, selfishness, etc.? This has been a blind spot with the organization recently. It seems like this year it more critical to get a character receiver than a fantasy league receiver.
Ray Fittipaldo: You make a great point. That's why the scouts do all that leg work in the fall when they go onto campuses. You have to rely on your scouts to get that feedback from people around college programs.
Joe Friday: Hey Ray - If Mims and Barton are both available at 20, who do you pick?
Ray Fittipaldo: I'd go Barton. They need to get starters early and let them play. Barton is more qualified to do that than Mims, who only started eight games at Georgia.
the real guest: Ray, Re your mock draft, if Frazier is on the board at 51 do you take him or do you stick with your Melton pick?
Ray Fittipaldo: I didn't expect him to be available at 51 when I did my final mock.
AA: With there being far fewer underclassmen in this draft, do you think the later rounds will be lower in talent than normal?
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes and teams are aware of that.
MajorRick: Good afternoon, Ray. I loved your final mock draft. Would the Steelers keep Fautanu at Right Tackle or move him to Center, where some sites say he could excel?
Ray Fittipaldo: I think he'd play tackle as a rookie. But as you mention he does have versatility to play other positions on the line, which is nice if the team deals with injuries.
SteelFanInJax: We have ONE position without a starter and you wait until 4th round? Doesn't make sense.
Ray Fittipaldo: Can't reach.
JPinIndy: Thanks as always for the chats Ray! Fill in the blank please. If the Steelers don't come away from the 2024 draft with ______ it will be considered a failure.
Ray Fittipaldo: a longtime quality starter on the offensive line
George Thorogood: Is there any defensive player the Steelers should jump at, if said player fell so as to be available with the 20th pick?
Ray Fittipaldo: Maybe a corner or a defensive tackle, but honestly, I doubt it.
MajorRick: Good afternoon, Ray. Is Nourzad in the 2d group of Center prospects? I know very little about him.
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes he's in that group with Sedrick Van Pran-Granger.
Ray Fittipaldo: He played at Cornell for a few years and then played the past two seasons at Penn State. Made 8 starts at guard in 2022 and 13 at center in 2023.
7 year drought: Ray, in your mock draft article you mention how Khan continues to declare that Nate Herbig and others can play Center. If they had starter capable Centers on the roster last year why did Tomlin stubbornly stick with Cole even though his play was far below par? This seems like a common theme with MT. Why does he anoint starters in the spring and stick with them seemingly too long?
Ray Fittipaldo: It's a good question. Sometimes, coaches are hesitant to make major changes in the middle of the season. And I think they were hoping Cole would come along. They did sign him to a three-year, $16 million contract. It's a distasteful part of the business, but sometimes these contracts do come into play when these decisions are made.
Mike from NY: Hi Ray. Thanks for the chats. What do you think is the most unexpected but realistic pick the Steelers can make in round one?
Ray Fittipaldo: WR
mrbig: when the draft is over... what position do you think they will still be thin on the depth chart?
Ray Fittipaldo: If you mean thin because they don't address until Day 3 I might say DL or ILB.
Tampa: Ray, going back the last 10 to 15 years or so and in your opinion which was the best draft the Steelers had
Ray Fittipaldo: Just off the top of my head, 2017. TJ Watt is a future Hall of Famer. They also got JuJu Smith-Schuster in the second round, and he was a quality player for them for five years. James Conner and Cam Sutton in the third round. Both really good for the Steelers who signed good free-agent deals elsewhere. And let's not forget Josh Dobbs in Round 4. He's been a good backup in this league.
dpreble001: Ray, I believe the tackle position is deeper than the center position, shouldn't the Steelers take the best center available, even though your mock, says otherwise?
Ray Fittipaldo: But what if they have a WR or T higher rated on their board at the time? You don't want to reach in the first round for a position of need.
Yates: Hi Ray- would Coach Fitt look to bring back Mason Cole or roll with Herbig or Anderson as back up to our new starting center?
Ray Fittipaldo: Depends what happens in the draft, but I think they roll with Herbig and the others with center capabilities.
Gus in Alaska: What’s the possibility of the Steelers taking TEs Theo Johnson in mid round or TEs Tip Reiman or Brevyn Spann-Ford or taking CB Khyree Jackson or thumper like S Kitan Oladapo or S Dominque Hampton in a later round?
Ray Fittipaldo: They've taken TEs in each of the past three drafts so I'm not sure they'll pick another one this year. But a CB and/or S, for sure. They could draft both.
Jim: Are you surprised that the Steelers would even consider drafting at #20 someone to play center who hasn’t played that position since his freshman year or someone to play right tackle who only had 8 starts and is injury prone? I can see taking a chance on potential in a later round but not at pick #20. Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo: I don't think NFL people view the Barton center transition as a big risk. The more I think about Mims and what the Steelers need he just doesn't fit in the first round for them. They need a plug-and-play starter, which is why I mocked Troy Fautanu to them in my final mock draft.
Sal: Happy Tuesday Ray! I liked your final mock draft. In another matter: I know the role that Andy Weidl plays in the draft, but how does he and his team of scouts influence on the Free Agency acquisitions? Is he active scouting and suggesting suitable players ?
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes. They have pro scouts and they have college scouts. The pro scouts are responsible for keeping tabs on players who will become free agents.
Emilio: Hi Ray, The highly paid Steelers defense was far from dominant, they allowed over 5 yards per rush in the playoffs game vs the bills. But most of the draft projections are focused on the offense. Under what circumstances would the Steelers go for a player in defense on the first round?
Ray Fittipaldo: If there is a CB who is their highest-rated player on the board at the time they select at 20.
Gordon Bombay: I keep hearing about Pat Pete coming back as a slot corner. Watching him last year, it is hard to imagine him covering shifty slot receivers. Am I missing something?
Ray Fittipaldo: They'd have to consider matchups, but he could simply be their third or fourth corner if the draft doesn't unfold in such a manner that they get a starter for the slot on the first two days of the draft.
Cole Medina: I believe you initially had Malachi Corley going to the Steelers in the 2nd round. What changed?
Ray Fittipaldo: Nothing changed. He's a good player. But I think teams will be trying to get CBs earlier than WRs so I gave them Melton in Round 2 and WR Roman Wilson in Round 3. CBs not as deep as WRs in this draft.
Gus in Alaska: Thanks for your topping of your mocks this year with a stellar lineup. Any insight on why the Steelers wouldn’t have Baylor DT Gabe Hall in for a visit? Compared to some of the other lower rated DT they did bring in like Logan Lee and Krystian Boyd, his measurables and system/role experience seems to be a better fit, at least as a depth role for Cam’s eventual replacement, if not a Brett Keisel like late round gem.
Ray Fittipaldo: As Tomlin mentioned yesterday sometimes they use these top-30 visits on guys who aren't invited to the combine or guys they don't get a chance to meet with at the Senior Bowl or combine. They drafted four players who took top-30 visits last year. So not every player they draft will have been in for a visit.
Gregg from Shaler: Hi Ray - if Barton, JPJ, Mims and Fashanu are all on the board who should we take?
Ray Fittipaldo: Probably Barton.
Randy Savage: More likely local pick at Tackle in the middle rounds... Gonalves from Pitt or Caeden Wallace from PSU?
Ray Fittipaldo: I guess the kid from Pitt.
Fort Wayne Nate: Who had a better catch, Ricky Pearsall against Charlotte or Odell Beckham's back in the day?
Ray Fittipaldo: I'd say it's close, but I still have to go with Beckham's catch.
Fort Wayne Nate: what's a better combo? Ricky Pearsall and Sedrick Van Pran or Zach Frazier and Roman Wilson?
Ray Fittipaldo: Frazier and Wilson in my opinion.
Zell: I've read that the C from GA is not far behind the *top 3* who are always mentioned. Maybe we can get him in the 3rd?
Ray Fittipaldo: Maybe. Third round is probably where he'll land.
TC in CLT: Hi Ray, in your mock draft, if the Steelers draft Hunter N. in the 4th round, does he start right away or is he eased in total he lineup
Ray Fittipaldo: Don't think he'd be a Day 1 starter, but I think he could play as a rookie.
scott: Do you think we will still make a trade for a WR or draft a WR and just run with the current depth?
Ray Fittipaldo: They'll draft a WR for sure. Could also make a trade. I never put it past Khan to make a big move.
Dave: Ray, love the mock but am skeptical that Fautanu will be there. On another note would Maason Smith be drafted as a potential Hayward successor, or is he a nose?
Ray Fittipaldo: He's a five technique like Heyward.
Danny: If mcconkey is available at 51 pick will the steelers draft him
Ray Fittipaldo: I think he'd definitely be in their mix, but I doubt he falls to 51.
Chris: With Donte Jackson being a free agent, would the Steelers draft cornerback early to develop behind him?
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes they could. I gave them Max Melton in the second round in my mock draft.
Chuck from Michigan: Hi Ray, I think Khan artist will work a trade with Seattle or Indy to move up and select JC Latham. Any other player you think they would trade up for if JC Latham is off the board between picks 10 to 15? Luv your chats and mock drafts. Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo: Yeah I'd do that for Latham. I think he's going to be really good.
Dave: Ray, answer for Tampa's question: 2010. Pouncey, Worilds, Sanders, AB
Ray Fittipaldo: Yeah not sure there is a Hall of Famer in there, but Brown would have been if he didn't go off the deep end. And he did say 10-15 years. That was 16 years ago!
Ray Fittipaldo: Oops 14 years ago!
NY Steeler: Ray - great job with the mock drafts. Unlike most other mocks - always informative, pragmatic and to the point! Now - what are the chances the Duke-ster will be there at 20 and do you believe that would be a better result than moving up for a top LT?
Ray Fittipaldo: Listen, Graham Barton might be their guy. They very well could have him graded higher than some of these tackles. We'll see on Thursday night.
TX Pressure: I've seen this happen lately, Brock Bowers dropping to 20. IF that happened and still had Mims, Barton available do you get the value pick who could play inside and out?
Ray Fittipaldo: Intriguing but I'd go with Barton assuming their grades are close.
TX Pressure: Over/Under of WRs taken is 1.5, what you taking?
Ray Fittipaldo: Under
Polevetsian Dance No. 2 by Borodin: If they've decided not to give Najee year 5... Would they consider taking Corum in the 3rd or move up in 2nd?
Ray Fittipaldo: If they don't pick up his option they can get his replacement in next year's draft.
Jacob: I know Cole Holcomb is a big question mark. Why does it seem like it's a given that they're going to move on from him and Elandon Roberts next year? Like, why is that seemingly a foregone conclusion?
Ray Fittipaldo: Because Roberts turned 30 yesterday and Holcomb suffered a severe injury. Those types of injuries are difficult to come back from.
TX Pressure: You able to do Polls at the gazette? would be interesting to see what position fans think they should draft in the 1st round: OT, C, WR, CB, or Other
Ray Fittipaldo: There you go. I'll keep the chat open for a while even if I'm done answering questions so people can vote.
Chris: Do you think the Steelers would re-sign Kwon Alexander as an insurance policy in case Holcomb struggles to recover?
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes, but Alexander just started running a week or two ago. He's coming back from that Achilles injury. Not sure what his timetable is.
Sleepy: Any idea how much time will be allowed to teams between first round picks? Hopefully as little time as possible, as it get monotonous after awhile.
Ray Fittipaldo: I think it's 10 or 15 minutes.
Ron: Liked your mock. If OC Frazier is there in round two, do you take him over Melton? Centers seem to frequently go lower than expected...
Ray Fittipaldo: I probably would, yes. Not sure how the Steelers have those players graded though.
Ray Fittipaldo: OK that's it for this week. Happy Draft Weekend. I'll keep this open for a little while so you can vote on the poll question..
First Published: April 23, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
