The Top 3 Important Storylines As The Steelers Begin 2023 Mandatory Minicamp

The Pittsburgh Steelers will begin mandatory minicamp on Tuesday as the 2023 NFL season creeps closer and closer. This is the next step for teams following Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and an important few days for coaches to get to know new personnel a little bit better. Pittsburgh has a ton of that. Excluding the organization's seven draft picks, General Manager, Omar Khan opened up the checkbook during free agency and brought in veterans, Patrick Peterson, Isaac Seumalo, Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Keanu Neal, among others. The roster has all the talent in the world on paper and fans will get another small glimpse of this during minicamp.

There will be several things to keep an eye out for over the course of the summer months leading into the team's first regular season game in September. While fans and the media alike will have the most access during training camp, which begins in the last week of July, there are still some key things to look out for early in the preparation for a seventh Lombardi Trophy.

1.) Who Will The Steelers Starting Left Tackle Be Week 1?

Although Dan Moore Jr. started receiving first-team reps during OTAs, it didn't appear that he was all that confident he would be the guy at the position once the 2023 season comes around. Rookie tackle, Broderick Jones even took over at a point while Moore jumped over to right tackle. There is no doubt that Jones is the future there, but it is a matter of when, not if.

It's not a good sign for Moore that he was swung over to right tackle in May when Jones was only in the league for about a month at the time. Moore's focus will likely shift to being a swing tackle and play either on the left or right depending on injuries that may occur throughout the season. Minicamp will give us all a better idea of what Head Coach, Mike Tomlin is thinking when it comes to Kenny Pickett's blindside protector.

2.) Can Calvin Austin III Continue To Look Like A 2023 Breakout Star

It's hard to find a guy with 4.3 speed, especially in the fourth round. After missing his entire rookie season in 2022, Austin was extremely impressive at OTAs. A combination of him, Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and Allen Robinson could be a lethal group. Pickett having a plethora of weapons at his disposal could be the key to making a huge jump in his second season.

Austin has the legitimate possibility to be the missing link that takes the offense to another level. His speed can be used to wear down defenses and expose weak points all over the field. He doesn't even need to be the target all the time and can help to get the other guys wide open. If Austin continues to show out and stays healthy, he could be in line for an incredible first 'official' NFL season.

3.) Who Will Get The Early Leg Up In The Punting Battle (No Pun Intended)

Pressley Harvin III has not been overly impressive in his first two seasons. Now, he will face his biggest test yet as Braden Mann is a young punter with a big leg. Harvin has averaged a full two yards less per punt in his career versus Mann. Most statistical categories favor Mann who had 27 punts inside the 20 in 2023 compared to Harvin's 20.

This will really heat up when the Steelers head into training camp in late July, but one thing that's not hard to evaluate this time of year is how guys look punting and kicking the football. Harvin should be considered the favorite as of now, but Mann could begin to outshine him in minicamp and completely take over the starting role by the time the preseason rolls around.

What are you looking out for during the Steelers 2023 mandatory minicamp? Let us know in the comments below!

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