Steelers Now
ESPN analyst Peter Schrager is very bullish on Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin heading into the 2025 season. He has the speedy receiver out of Memphis tabbed as a top-five breakout candidate.
“We know about DK Metcalf, we know about Roman Wilson. Look out for Calvin Austin III,” Schrager said on ESPN’s Get Up. “Apparently he has had a really good spring and they’re very excited about him in the Arthur Smith offense. [Aaron] Rodgers [is], of course, as accurate a quarterback as there is. Austin has wheels, you can hit him deep. He can hit him underneath. Calvin Austin, a guy whose name who’ve heard, but we didn’t really consider one of those elite top guys. Let’s see him have a big year with DK Metcalf on the other side.”
The Steelers have been looking to add No. 2 wide receiver since trading George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys in May. However, former NFL wide receiver Andrew Hawkins believes they already have the answer on their roster in Austin.
“For Steelers offense, I think Calvin Austin will take a big leap this year,” Hawkins posted on X. “I think they still need to add a WR (Keenan Allen? Amari cooper?). And Calvin doesn’t become the #3 option, rather I think he stays the #2 but kicks to the slot in 3 wr sets.”
Austin, 26, has steadily improved every year since being selected in the fourth round (No. 138 overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. He missed the entirety of his rookie season due to a foot injury but has quickly made up for lost time.
In 2023, Austin had 17 catches for 180 yards and one touchdown. And then last season, he had a career-high 36 catches for 548 yards and four touchdowns.
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers recently hosted several of his new playmakers down in Malibu for a workout, and it’s safe to say they came away very impressed.
Austin was among those in attendance and he couldn’t help but praise the four-time NFL MVP’s knowledge of the game.
“His mindset is, ‘We’re going to do this because I know what the defense is gonna do and they don’t wanna do this.’ You see that experience, and playing with a Hall of Fame quarterback, it’s gonna be special. Sometimes, you can be given too much,” Austin said to Action News 5. “But he lets you play football.”
After a promising 2024 campaign coupled with the addition of Aaron Rodgers, Austin could be in line for a breakout 2025 season.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Calvin Austin III Tabbed as Top-5 Breakout Candidate
