The Pittsburgh Steelers will report to training camp in a little over two weeks on July 26th. 

With that in mind, today will be the start of my training camp preview series. 

The first positional battle we will tackle…slot receiver. 

Allen Robinson II

Robinson was traded to Pittsburgh this offseason, adding proven production and a veteran presence to a youthful locker room. He has taken a liking to the city and his teammates, playing a key role as a leader and creating chemistry with players like Kenny Pickett. 

Unlike the man he's battling for the starting spot, he has size and years of experience on his side. Robinson may be built like an outside WR but his skillset (especially at this point of his career) is better situated for him to work over the middle of the field. 

How well he translates his offseason momentum to camp will be everything for Robinson. Plenty of players have "won" the offseason, only to see things become a bit more pessimistic when the pads come on. Robinson aims to show his resurgence is for real. 

Calvin Austin III

Austin has never played a meaningful snap in the NFL, obviously lending the upper hand to the aforementioned Robinson when it comes to the starting slot receiver role.

But Austin is the younger, and much more dynamic option of the two, with a special suddenness and straight-line speed that eludes Robinson's skillset. 



A certified 4.32 runner that has given multiple Pittsburgh corners a case of the hamstring tug this offseason, Austin can stretch the middle of the field like no other. 

But camp will be as important for Austin as arguably any player in Pittsburgh. He has to prove he can handle the physicality of the game not only when it comes to durability, but getting off of press and making catches in condensed spaces, setting up a fun but competitive competition. 

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