Calvin Austin III's rookie campaign with the Pittsburgh Steelers was a rather forgetful one. The 2022 fourth-round draft pick's foot injury cost him his first NFL season as he failed to play in a single game for the Steelers. As a result, the Steelers were forced to rely upon players such as Steven Sims and Gunner Olszewski in both the slot receiver role and punt/kickoff return duties.
Their combined play was less than stellar and the team is undoubtedly attempting to upgrade both of these roles this offseason. As of now, Austin III is the favorite to fill these holes. However, his spot is anything but ensured. He will need to prove that he has the durability to be a contributor for the black and gold in 2023.
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (#19) showcases his speed during the 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Will Calvin Austin III Live Up To The Hype?
When the Steelers selected Austin III with the 138th pick in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, many fans expected him to make an immediate impact as a game-changing wide receiver. His 156 career receptions during his time at the University of Memphis to go along with 2,541 yards and 22 receiving touchdowns made him an extremely intriguing prospect.
Furthermore, he put on an absolute show at the 2022 NFL Combine where he ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash. Absolutely blazing. Combine all of this with his ability to return punts and kicks, and the Steelers felt like they may have gotten an absolute gem. The selection of Austin III was also even more memorable after it was reported that the rival Baltimore Ravens were planning on selecting him at pick #139. Optimistically speaking, the former Memphis Tiger still has every opportunity in the world to prove that the Steelers made the right choice of selecting him before the Ravens did.
CREDIT: MEMPHIS ATHLETICS
Memphis' WR, Calvin Austin III
Where Do The Steelers Stand At WR Depth Heading In To The 2023 NFL Draft?
The Steelers' lack of depth at wide receiver is one of the most pressing needs for the team heading into the 2023 season. More likely than not, General Manager Omar Khan will add a receiver at some point during the 2023 NFL Draft. The round in which the selection is made will be rather telling as to how exactly the front office feels about Austin III's rehab from his Lisfranc injury. As the current roster stands, there are only two wide receivers (not including Austin III) who are locked to make the initial 53-man roster, those being Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. Austin III will almost certainly crack the opening-day roster, but it is difficult to predict at this point in time where exactly he will land on the depth chart.
Should the Steelers choose to grab a wide receiver with one of their first three picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, this will likely not mean well for Austin III in terms of receiving meaningful playing time. The Steelers have already begun the process of holding Top 30 official visits with receiver prospects, with the first one being Ole Miss product, Jonathan Mingo who is coming off of an impressive season where he snagged 51 receptions for 861 yards and five touchdowns. Interestingly enough, Mingo is projected to be a slot receiver at the next level, which is the same position Austin III plays.
Ole Miss WR Jonathan Mingo (6-1, 220) also was one of top 30 visits w Steelers last week.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) March 28, 2023
Other Wide Receivers The Steelers May Consider Taking In The 2023 NFL Draft
Death, taxes and the Pittsburgh Steelers drafting well at wide receiver. There are of course a few outliers along the way, looking at you, Limas Sweed. However, the Steelers always seem to do well in terms of finding diamonds in the rough players who end up being starters in the NFL. Austin III still has the ability to live up to the standard, but the Steelers may choose to end up selecting a wide receiver early in the NFL Draft even if they feel comfortable with where Austin III is with his recovery from foot surgery.
Jordan Addison is perhaps the "home run" selection at #17 for the Steelers. The former Pittsburgh Panther (who spent his last season of college football at the University of Southern California) already has a special connection with current Steelers' quarterback, Kenny Pickett. The duo was absolutely electric during their time playing together at Pitt, where Addison hauled in 160 receptions for 2,259 yards and 21 touchdowns during his time in Pittsburgh. Realistically speaking, Addison will, unfortunately, be long gone by the time the Steelers' selection comes up.
However, if he does still happen to be on the board at #17, the Steelers may have to seriously consider reuniting him with his former quarterback.
Matt Freed | Post Gazette
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett and WR Jordan Addison celebrate while playing together at the University of Pittsburgh in 2021
Other names to watch out for in terms of potential wide receivers the Steelers may look at include Josh Downs from the University of North Carolina, Jayden Reed from Michigan State and Marvin Mims from the University of Oklahoma.
Thoughts, Steeler Nation?
How confident do you feel in Calvin Austin III heading into next season? Would you like to see the Steelers spend one of their first three picks on a wide receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft? If so, who? Let's hear it in the comments!
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