Steelers: Stop sleeping on Pittsburgh's most underrated position group
Even after the acquisition of Allen Robinson via trade, many believe the Steelers' wide receiver room is underwhelming. PFF recently ranked the best wideouts in the league, with Diontae Johnson at 24th, and the only Steeler on their top 32 list. But if you spent any time at OTA's the past couple of weeks, you […]
Even after the acquisition of Allen Robinson via trade, many believe the Steelers' wide receiver room is underwhelming.
PFF recently ranked the best wideouts in the league, with Diontae Johnson at 24th, and the only Steeler on their top 32 list.
But if you spent any time at OTA's the past couple of weeks, you can see how that is a fallacy:
Nick Farabaugh who covers the Steelers for SteelersNow was on the grounds this week at OTA's making sure to take note of the depth and overall talent at the important position:
The wide receivers are interesting at OTAs this year, said Farabaugh. There are a lot of them, even with the top guys there. So, when there are spots up for grabs, those players have to be watched closely. The Steelers have different archetypes, too. There are shiftier slot types like Anthony Miller and Gunner Olszewski, bigger guys like Hakeem Butler and Miles Boykin, fast guys like Jordan Byrd and Cody Chrest, and more. The variation is interesting.
Farabaugh wasn't the only one impressed by the variation at the pass catcher position, as backup QB Mitch Trubisky weighed in, telling reporters:
“The competition is fierce there,” Trubisky said of the wide receiver position. “You know, there’s a lot of dependable guys there right now. They’re all showing out, so I’m really impressed by a lot of these guys.”
I might as well be conducting the hype train that is the George Pickens breakout narrative, but I truly believe he can be one of the best wideouts in the league. Then you have two certified Pro Bowlers in Allen Robinson and Diontae Johnson, not to mention the talk of the town:
Calvin Austin III.
Patrick Peterson gained first-hand experience of Austin's speed at OTA's last week, saying:
"That Joker's fast. I had never seen him play before but all I Know is, he's little and outside. If you're little and outside you must fast," said Peterson when speaking on Austin's speed via the All Things Covered pod. "He ended up getting about an arm's length in front of me on a rep so I pulled a little veteran move, you know a little tug on the jersey."
"Then after practice, we're watching the film and coach Grady (Steelers corner coach) said we all owe Pat P an apology for not telling him 19 (Calvin Austin) had wheels like that," finished Peterson.
But something tells me that's the way the Steelers want it. If their own players are just now becoming accustomed to some of the hidden gems that are in the receiving corps, imagine what's in store for the rest of the league.
Featured image via: © Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
