The Pittsburgh Steelers Hope their Former 4th-Round Pick Breaks Out in Year 3
The Pittsburgh Steelers overhauled their receiving corps by parting ways with two of their top three wide receivers this offseason. The Steelers traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers and released Allen Robinson II. They addressed the position in free agency and the draft by signing Quez Watkins, Scott Miller, and Van Jefferson and drafting Roman Wilson.
The Steelers hope their former 4th-round pick can break out.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hope their 4th-round pick breaks out in Year 3
Calvin Austin III enters his third year in the NFL and hasn’t played much in his first two seasons due to injuries and wasn’t a part of their starting rotation.
Austin suffered a Lisfranc injury during training camp in his rookie season. The Steelers placed him on injured reserve. He had a setback in October and underwent surgery, causing him to miss the entire season.
Austin didn’t play much offensively sitting behind Robinson in his second season but won the punt return job. He played 17 games and started one in 2023, with 17 receptions for 180 yards, one touchdown, and 29 punt returns for 249 yards. He also had one reception for seven yards, one touchdown, and one punt return for 12 yards in the Wild Card.
The Steelers hope he breaks out. So far, he has impressed their new position coach.
Calvin Austin III impressed his position coach
“He’s been outstanding. That’s a guy who’s gone from here to here in just eight weeks,” Azzanni said, raising his left hand well above the right to illustrate how far Austin has come. “I mean, it’s been really fun to watch. He’s a worker, he’s intentful, he’s urgent, he wants to be coached and you can see it because his game has done that.”
Austin will compete for a starting spot.
Calvin Austin III will compete with a third-round pick for a starting spot
Austin will likely compete against Roman Wilson for the starting slot job.
Wilson, the 84th overall pick, played four seasons of college football for the Michigan Wolverines, recording 107 receptions for 1,707 yards and 20 touchdowns. His best season came in 2023, where he recorded 48 receptions for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning him All-Big Ten Second Team honors.
Wilson has familiarity playing in the slot and on the outside. Many believe he will eventually become the Steelers’ WR2, but it might take time for him to develop.
