Steelers have a questionable post-draft need according to national outlet
The Pittsburgh Steelers have done a tremendous job addressing the deficiencies that plagued the 2022 roster this off-season. Everywhere from corner to trenches to pass catchers have been upgraded, yet the team still lacks depth at one key position according to The Athletic. Mike DeFabo who covers the Steelers for the publication offered a head-scratching […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers have done a tremendous job addressing the deficiencies that plagued the 2022 roster this off-season.
Everywhere from corner to trenches to pass catchers have been upgraded, yet the team still lacks depth at one key position according to The Athletic.
Mike DeFabo who covers the Steelers for the publication offered a head-scratching position as one of the team's biggest needs when surveyed as part of the outlet's latest column. So let's see what that is.
While the Steelers filled most of their pressing needs, there are some question marks at wide receiver, inside linebacker and safety, said DeFabo. The quality of the depth at receiver will hinge on how well Calvin Austin III performs after missing all of his rookie season with a foot injury. At inside linebacker, the Steelers will be counting on 2022 seventh-round pick Mark Robinson to continue his development to provide depth. Free-agent addition Keanu Neal now looks to have the inroad to start at strong safety. Damontae Kazee will factor in like he did last season as depth at both safety spots. — Mike DeFabo
I largely agree with DeFabo, as a matter of fact, I listed the safety position as my biggest post-draft need when projecting the 2023 roster. I also haven't been shy to voice my concerns about the need to get add a coverage player at inside linebacker, but receiver makes little sense to me.
The top of the depth chart is rich with proven producers and players either in their prime, or still young in their career by way of Dionate Johnson, Allen Robinson, and George Pickens.
Behind them is Calvin Austin III who, while DeFabo may be hesitant to project, I believe can be a valuable player and potentially battling Robinson for reps out of the slot come the end of next season. Austin is basically a rookie since he missed the entirety of year one with an injury. Here's a refresher on his skillset from The Athletic's Dane Brugler.
My favorite part of Austin's game is how quickly he goes from pass catcher to runner — it’s seamless for him, and that immediate explosion puts added stress on coverage pursuit. For a player with his measurements and speed, I expected more missed tackles after the catch. Overall, Austin’s size will always be an issue, but his ball skills and athleticism with and without the football give him a chance to be a WR3 or WR4 in an NFL offense. His punt-return skills will help him stick on an NFL roster.
I believe in Calvin Austin and I know the Steelers do, evident by their reasoning to draft him and hit rate when it comes to selecting and then developing collegiate talent at the receiver position. Hopefully, come the end of the fall, the hesitancy in his outlook will no longer exist.
