The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted two wide receivers in Kevin Colbert's last draft as general manager in 2022. In the second round, he selected George Pickens from the Georgia Bulldogs. He has demonstrated All-Pro talent, but still needs to mature on and off the football field to reach his incredible potential. The other choice in the fourth round was Calvin Austin III from the Memphis Bulldogs.
Associated Press
Steelers had high hopes for Calvin Austin when they drafted him in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
On Tuesday, Austin joined the ChoppingItUpWithSwish podcast for a haircut and to discuss the upcoming season. Based on Pittsburgh's current wide receiver room, the third-year player has a tremendous opportunity to make a big impact in 2024. Austin is dead set on proving to Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith that he deserves to be a big part of the Pittsburgh offense this season.
"My whole thing is just becoming a complete football player and a playmaker," Austin said. "My goal is just to be a playmaker. Like the real deal, show what I can do every time and any time the ball is in my hands."
Austin was one of the fastest receivers in the country heading into the 2022 NFL Draft. He had given the highly touted cornerback Sauce Gardner everything he could handle when they matched up during the 2021 season. Rumors of Austin's game-changing speed spread like wildfire in 2022 during the Steelers' training camp, but he suffered a Lisfranc injury and was lost for the year before his first preseason game.
I asked Sauce Gardner what makes him the best DB in this draft class
— Malik Wright (@Wrightreportt) March 5, 2022
“My preparation “
He also noted the toughest WR he played against was Calvin Austin. @GoBearcatsFB @iamSauceGardner pic.twitter.com/2Kzv6kCZ8Y
When he returned to the field in 2023, the Steelers replaced the much-maligned Gunner Olszewski with Austin as their punt returner. He averaged over eight yards per return on 29 chances. Austin added 17 catches, including a 72-yard touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders. He also rushed for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. Austin flashed glimpses of what he could with an opportunity, but was buried on the wide receiver depth chart behind Pickens, Diontae Johnson, and Allen Robinson II.
Mark Humphrey / AP Photo
New Steelers offensive coordinator (then with the Tennessee Titans), Arthur Smith (right) walks off the practice field with tight end Jonnu Smith (left).
The Steelers' new offensive coordinator, Smith, is known for preferring big, physical receivers and heavy personnel. Omar Khan will add to the wide receiver room before training camp, and Austin has his work cut out to prove he deserves a significant role in the offense and not be pigeonholed as a return specialist and gadget player.
"I ain't that," Austin replied. "I'm a complete receiver, I can do it all, I'm a guy. You know, talk ain't nothing. If you ain't getting out there doing stuff, actually, you can say whatever, and it sounds good, but it's like you already know. That's the thing: the work I'm gonna put in. I'm going into the season, my goal really starts knowing. When I'm going into camp, I want to dominate."
It would be a welcomed surprise for the Steelers if Austin can prove that he is at least the answer as the number three wide receiver in 2024. Austin's size will work against him on the outside, but with Russell Wilson's ability to throw the deep ball, his speed could become a real issue for opposing defenses. Precious few cornerbacks in the NFL can match Austin's speed, and Wilson may be just the quarterback to exploit it.
Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today Sports
Former Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson prepares to make a throw during a professional football contest in Denver, Colorado.
Steelers' Current Wide Receiver Room Could Help Russell Wilson Duplicate His Success In Seattle
If Austin gets off press coverage at the line of scrimmage, the combination with Wilson could be a very dangerous weapon for the Steelers. During his time with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson perfectly utilized his receiver tandem of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Pickens and Austin have very similar physical traits and should be a much more effective combination for the former Denver Broncos quarterback than Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy.
Khan will probably add a wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft with the physical traits that Smith is comfortable with. Still, if Austin can prove he can handle the job this offseason, the Steelers won't have to throw a rookie receiver on the field to start the season. Tomlin and his coaching staff proved that with talented rookies like Joey Porter Jr., Broderick Jones, and Keeanu Benton last season.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Can Austin finally ascend to a meaningful role in the Steelers' offense and fill the void as a starting receiver? Please comment below, or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq.
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