Steelers Have An Unsung Hero Ready To Break Out In The Wide Receiver Room: "Just Unleash Him"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had question marks around a handful of positions throughout the 2024 offseason, mainly at along the offensive line and wide receiver. The offensive line got addressed during the 2024 NFL Draft, and the unit is expected to make a huge leap. The receiver position was also added to during the third round, when Pittsburgh selected Roman Wilson. Wilson's game is expected to translate well to the professional level, but the Steelers still don't have much at receiver outside of Wilson, George Pickens and a bunch of bubble receivers that all won't make the final roster.

Pittsburgh needs to find a way to get some of the attention from the defensive secondary off of Pickens, especially since the team traded away its best route-runner, Diontae Johnson. The Steelers may still make some additions at receiver, but Breiden Fehoko wants to make sure no one forgets about Calvin Austin III. Fehoko recently made an appearance on the Gabe Kuhn Show, and he shed some light on what should be expected from Austin III in Arthur Smith's new offense.

"Cal, and we talked about it, he is one of the fastest human beings I’ve seen since I’ve been in the NFL. I mean, he is a great dude. Cal’s reserved, as you know. But man, I am so excited to see him in this new offense and what they’re able to do, and just unleash him. I mean, you talk about Tyreek Hill type of speed, Cal’s got that. He can take the top off a defense easily. Just look at the Raiders game and what were able to do with him last year."

Austin was drafted by Pittsburgh during the 2022 NFL Draft, but he wasn't able to play at all during his rookie season due to a foot injury. There was a lot of excitement surrounding Austin heading into the 2023 NFL season, which left a lot of fans disappointed with his performance. 

Expectations were sky high, and he didn't deliver. Part of that is certainly due to the fact that former Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada likely had no clue how to use Austin's talents, which Smith should be able to take advantage of in 2024.

Canada often used Austin on ineffective end arounds and gadget plays, but the wideout was able to find some success in the passing game. His best game of the season came in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders; he caught two passes for 72 yards and a touchdown. One of his catches went for zero yards, while he caught a touchdown pass in the first quarter where he blew past the entire Raiders defense on a deep post and took it 72 yards to the end zone. 

This was the first and pretty much only instance where Austin got to show off his blazing speed during his second year. He finished the season with 17 receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns, while also recording 57 yards rushing and 249 yards in punt returns. Smith was one of the better offensive coordinators in the NFL during his time with the Tennessee Titans, so hopefully he is able to figure out how to get Austin III involved within the Steelers offense.

Steelers Couldn't Rely On Austin III To Take Necessary Step Forward

As soon as Pittsburgh decided to trade Johnson, it was clear the receiver position was going to need some attention during the 2024 offseason. Many fans would have liked to see the team acquire a bigger name, with more experience, rather than the bundle of camp bodies the organization brought in. Pittsburgh brought in guys like Scotty Miller, Quez Watkins, and Van Jefferson to compete with Austin III for that third wide receiver spot, with Jefferson likely leading the way. 

The Steelers had to bring in competition for Austin III, or at least a backup plan in case the third year player doesn't improve. At the beginning of the 2023 season, Johnson went down against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 and missed several weeks. This was an opportunity for Austin III to prove he had what it takes to be a reliable receiver for the Steelers offense, and he couldn't do it. Hopefully things go better for him in Smith's offense, as his teammates like Fehoko are rooting for him.

What do you think of Austin III? Let us know in the comments below!

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