Day one of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) for the Pittsburgh Steelers was Tuesday and we got a good look at multiple players and possibly no one was more exciting to see out there than Calvin Austin III. The 2022 fourth-round pick was seen both on and off the field. Austin is fully healthy and looks to have a big season in 2023.
After not playing a single snap in 2022 due to a Lisfranc injury, Austin was back on the field, looking just as quick as before. The shifty wide receiver is looking to make an impact in what will be his technical rookie season. Some people thought Austin would lose a step after having surgery on his foot, but he looks like his normal self.
Austin looks to be fully healthy, cutting and pushing off with zero restrictions from his once-injured foot. Earlier in May, General Manager, Omar Khan said Austin should not be forgotten about and loves the versatility he brings to the receiver room. Not only can he line up in both the slot and on the outside, but he's also capable of using his speed on end-arounds and screens.
Pittsburgh had an incredible draft, but left it without selecting a wide receiver. This shows their confidence in their current receiver room and the return of Austin. After not suiting up for a single game last year, Austin could essentially be looked at as a bonus draft pick for the Steelers.
Austin could be an underrated target for Kenny Pickett. The bulk of the snaps in the slot to start will most likely be given to Allen Robinson, but Austin can also excel with his speed and twitchiness in the middle of the field. After seeing how Pickett liked throwing over the middle in his rookie year, that could continue with Austin, who will be the fastest guy on the field most days.
Steelers' Work Ethnic
After Tuesday's OTAs, Austin spoke with the media, praising his quarterback's leadership. Amanda Godsey of the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat captured what Austin had to say after practice:
"I've kind of prided myself on working and grinding and all that but having someone like [Kenny] who almost does it even more, you know, it just makes you push even more. He's going to make sure that you are on your A-game."
Not only does this apply to Austin and Pickett, but the entire team feels this way, too. After winning six of their last seven games to end the 2022 season, the players and coaches know they have what it takes to get back to the playoffs and make a run.
Austin continued expressing his thoughts on Pickett:
"That's the thing of having a quarterback like that, it's what you want because he's going to bring everybody else up with him and nobody else is going to be able to stay where they are. You got to either be at his level or be left behind."
Pickett is going into 2023 looking to build off of his rookie year. He now has a solid top four in the wide receiver room with Austin slotting in behind Robinson, George Pickens, and Diontae Johnson. With a much-improved offensive line and solid defense, Pickett should have a great opportunity to lead the team to another winning season.
Are you excited to see Austin in 2023? What are your expectations for the team?
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