Third-year Pittsburgh Steelers WR Calvin Austin III is having himself a constructive offseason, together with producing good press. He wants it—the offseason, not the press—after carrying out little or no in his first two seasons. Mark Kaboly wonders if the Steelers didn’t give him his due final 12 months, although, on account of Allen Robinson II.
“He’s getting a chance to showcase his ability set. He wasn’t typically put able to do this final 12 months, as they had been enamored with Allen Robinson’s blocking within the slot reasonably than getting receiving manufacturing from that spot”, Kaboly wrote about Austin for The Athletic not too long ago.
“Austin is quick, runs good routes, is now considerably skilled and is a really likable particular person”, he added. “Can he be the No. 2? Effectively, not within the conventional means we take a look at receivers, however he can have an even bigger function, and he ought to have his most efficient season”.
A 2022 fourth-round select of Memphis, Calvin Austin III has 180 profession receiving yards on 17 catches. His lone regular-season receiving landing got here on a 72-yard bomb early within the 12 months, however he did little after that.
Kaboly appears to consider that the Steelers erred in not giving Austin extra alternatives at Robinson’s expense. Robinson is a former Professional Bowler—however his Professional Bowl got here again in 2015. He had a 1,000-yard season in 2020 however has barely managed one other 1,000 mixed since.
Whereas Austin solely managed 180 receiving yards final 12 months, Robinson didn’t contribute far more. He recorded 280 yards on 34 receptions and didn’t rating. However the Steelers valued his management and all-around professionalism, together with his blocking.
By the tip of the season, Calvin Austin III had recorded 374 snaps on offense, a lot of which got here early on. Diontae Johnson injured his groin within the opener and missed the subsequent a number of video games. After his return, Austin by no means noticed greater than 20 snaps in any single recreation.
In truth, after Week 4, the Steelers by no means threw in Austin’s route greater than twice in a recreation. They solely focused him in one of many ultimate 5 video games of the common season, although he had three dashing makes an attempt, together with a landing.
Austin’s calling card popping out of school was his pace. A foot harm throughout his rookie season threatened to rob him of that, however he confirmed no slowdown upon returning. Maybe the Steelers’ offense final season was not outfitted to benefit from his lengthy pace, although.
Kenny Pickett struggled in that space—certainly, he tried to hit him on one other deep landing however threw an interception. Mason Rudolph had extra success throwing down the sphere, however by then, Austin was hardly taking part in.
The Steelers launched Robinson after the 2023 season, they usually additionally traded Johnson. Now they simply have George Pickens as a longtime productive veteran, Austin hoping to affix him. He’s off to a superb begin, however at his dimension, how shut is he to his ceiling? The Steelers received’t discover out a lot in the event that they don’t throw him the soccer, I do know that a lot.
