No one really knows how the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to approach the wide receiver position this off-season. George Pickens will obviously be back looking to build off a stellar rookie campaign where he racked in 52 catches for 801 yards. Diontae Johnson is still under contract and looks to be back in black and gold, despite some trade rumors. Steven Sims Jr., who played pretty well when he was called upon, is a restricted free agent and likely to be back. Miles Boykin, who didn’t get much playing time, is an unrestricted free agent and unlikely to return. Gunner Olszewski wasn’t used much in the receiving game, but is still under contract for 2023, could he be an early cut for the Steelers? 
Photo Credit: Steelers/Karl Roser
The upcoming free agency period and NFL Draft will give us some insight on how many of those last three names will be back on the main squad. Johnson and Pickens have their spots, and so do these next two.
The Steelers re-signed Anthony Miller to a one-year contract on January 17 with the hopes of him being a factor for the offense in 2023. Miller, who played college ball at Memphis, was drafted by Chicago and later traded to Houston after three years. This is where he was then signed to Pittsburgh’s practice squad after the Texans released him early in 2021. Miller didn’t have the chance to play in 2022 due to a shoulder injury that kept him out for the whole year.
Not One, But Two 
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_Photo)
Pittsburgh didn’t just lose one Memphis receiver to injury in the 2022 preseason, they also lost rookie, Calvin Austin III, who many people were eager to see. The 5’9”, 162lb receiver suffered a foot injury in preseason that kept him out for the whole year, similar to Miller. Getting Austin back for 2023 will immediately boost Kenny Pickett and the offense. He has unreal speed and acceleration, runs routes perfectly, and can be a real threat as a punt/kick returner. 
Photo Credit: Joe Rondone / USA TODAY Sports
Last year, Pittsburgh tried Olszewski as their punt and kick returner. After some fumble problems, he was replaced by Sims. Sims averaged just over 25 yards on kick returns and 5.5 yards on punt returns with no touchdowns on the year. In comes Austin, an established punt returner for Memphis who averaged 27 yards over five punt returns with a touchdown in 2021. He had a few more reps in 2020, averaging 9.4 yards over 20 attempts with another touchdown. He didn’t have the chance to return any kicks in college, but with Austin’s work ethic, his traits should carry over. Check out his determination detailed in this recent article.
A few days ago #Steelers receiver Calvin Austin posted a video of himself running on IG pic.twitter.com/CcdNurlvhg
— SteelerNation (@SteeIerNation) February 3, 2023
Seeing Austin return to the field and run is a positive sight for all of SteelerNation.
High Praise for Calvin Austin III
Last April before the draft, Chris Simms had Sauce Gardner on his podcast and asked him which receiver was the “toughest cover” for him in college. The All-Pro cornerback starts his answer by giving praise to current Detroit Lions wide out, Jameson Williams. Gardner then brings up Austin, saying that he gave him some issues and might've had the hardest time covering the then Memphis receiver.
Gardner said that Austin gave him “a reality check” on his quickness and shiftiness that he just wasn’t ready for. Fans should be very keen to watch Austin in action in 2023 after hearing and seeing what he did against Gardner in college. Gardner locked down everybody he lined up on this season for the New York Jets, leading the league in passer rating against and passes defended. If Austin could get open against him, it could be a very interesting year watching him shine vs any team and any corner he comes across.
What are your thoughts on Calvin Austin III? Do you see him as being a big part to the offense in 2023? Let us know in the comments below.
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