Will Steelers Young WRs Finally Step Up?

Unfortunately for the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense, no one is coming to save them. The trade deadline is long gone. Their big addition during the season, veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, might not play a single game this season. There are no more external options left to turn to as they try to salvage their season.

For the Steelers, the most-discussed offensive issue remains. Their lack of a second pass-catcher behind DK Metcalf continues to haunt this team as their offense flounders. Running back Kenneth Gainwell has emerged as that next option, ranking second on the team in targets entering Week 13. With six games remaining, the Steelers need Calvin Austin III or Roman Wilson to fully assume that role and produce accordingly. Can either one of them do it?

Austin Hanging On...Barely

Just when it seemed like Austin's role in the offense was reduced, he was treated like WR2 in their most recent game. He played the second-most snaps of the team's wide receivers, lining up for 33 offensive snaps and four on special teams. His 33 snaps were 13 more than Wilson saw in Chicago, and he turned that into four receptions on five targets for 36 yards.

He hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 3 against the New England Patriots, when Aaron Rodgers found him for a game-winning 17-yard touchdown catch.

But it's clear the Steelers value him and want him on the field. He's received multiple targets in all but one game he's played this season. In addition, he has resumed the role of punt returner after Ke'Shawn Williams temporarily took over.

What is still missing from his game is the ability to get open against bigger, more physical cornerbacks. His speed and agility allow him to separate easily once in space, but that same ability isn't as persistent in routes of medium depth off the line of scrimmage (LOS). According to data from Pro Football Focus, he's caught just two receptions on five targets on routes between 10 and 19 yards, his worst reception percentage of any area on the field. Compare that to hauling in 15 of 20 targets between zero and nine yards from the line of scrimmage or even catching four of nine passes attempted beyond 20 yards, and there's an obvious area the Steelers cannot get him the ball.

Often, he gets buried in the muck when running those medium-depth routes. With the Steelers having limited time to get rid of the ball, they often have to dump it off on screen passes and check downs or chuck it down the field. Because of this, Austin sometimes takes a backseat in the offense.