WR Calvin Austin III, PIT (1 Viewer)

[Faust]

@32BeatWriters
Honorable mention winner:
“WR Calvin Austin III: Austin continued to get better from the first day to the last. If there is one receiver besides Pickens who has a chance to have a big role in this offense, it’s Austin.”

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[Faust]

@32BeatWriters
“He’s getting an opportunity to showcase his skill set. He wasn’t often put in a position to do that last year, as they were enamored with Allen Robinson’s blocking in the slot rather than getting receiving production from that spot.

Austin is fast, runs good routes, is now somewhat experienced and is a very likable individual. Can he be the No. 2? Well, not in the traditional way we look at receivers, but he will have a bigger role, and he should have his most productive season.”

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[pinkstapler]

With the amount of vacated targets left behind by Johnson, the improvement at QB and OC, this guy is winding up on the bottom of a lot of my rosters this year. Sure he could be cut by week 3, but as a free end of draft lottery ticket, I think he's in a great situation. They have no one behind Pickens I'd worry about, and I'm not really a Roman Wilson believer. I think at worst he's on the field for every 3 WR set, and wouldn't be surprised if he's ahead of Wilson to start the season. It doesn't hurt hearing on a regular basis that Waldman is a fan too.

 

[greenmountaingoat]

I took a chance on him in the third round of my first-ever rookie draft and have been a believer.. but I have serious doubts about a third year breakout- even if his rookie year was largely red-shirted because of the foot issue.

The good- maybe the best WR on the team in terms of being able to get open on most routes. 4.32 40 time and 39" vertical. Can work outside a bit in terms of his underlying skill set, not purely relegated to a slot only WR- which is where this needs to go for him to make much (any?) impact in fansasy.

Source :https://www.footballguys.com/stats/targets/teams?team=ATL&year=2022

The BAD

Arthur Smith offense
		Total tgt	WR tot	WR1	WR2	TE tot	TE1	TE2	Rbtot
2019​	Ten	425​	254​	84​	69​	108​	45​	31​	63​
2020​	Ten	466​	270​	106​	92​	138​	65​	53​	58​
2021​	Atl	554​	250​	93​	53​	158​	110​	31​	146​
2022​	Atl	399​	227​	117​	61​	106​	59​	21​	66​
2023​	Atl	504​	208​	109​	30​	172​	89​	69​	124​
Total	per game	27.1​	13.9​	5.9​	3.5​	7.9​	4.3​	2.4​	5.3​

Fun guy to root for but might be time to find a better use for that roster spot. Corey Davis, he is not.

 

[H8fulHuck]

I took a chance on him in the third round of my first-ever rookie draft and have been a believer.. but I have serious doubts about a third year breakout- even if his rookie year was largely red-shirted because of the foot issue.

The good- maybe the best WR on the team in terms of being able to get open on most routes. 4.32 40 time and 39" vertical. Can work outside a bit in terms of his underlying skill set, not purely relegated to a slot only WR- which is where this needs to go for him to make much (any?) impact in fansasy.

Source :https://www.footballguys.com/stats/targets/teams?team=ATL&year=2022

The BAD

Arthur Smith offense
		Total tgt	WR tot	WR1	WR2	TE tot	TE1	TE2	Rbtot
2019​	Ten	425​	254​	84​	69​	108​	45​	31​	63​
2020​	Ten	466​	270​	106​	92​	138​	65​	53​	58​
2021​	Atl	554​	250​	93​	53​	158​	110​	31​	146​
2022​	Atl	399​	227​	117​	61​	106​	59​	21​	66​
2023​	Atl	504​	208​	109​	30​	172​	89​	69​	124​
Total	per game	27.1​	13.9​	5.9​	3.5​	7.9​	4.3​	2.4​	5.3​

Fun guy to root for but might be time to find a better use for that roster spot. Corey Davis, he is not.

Cal is very fun to root for. Definitely more than a straight line speed guy, but dang he can get separation going deep. Opportunities will be there if Russ can hit him in stride over the top. Only needs 1/2 step bite on play action to win deep. No doubt coverage shaded to Pickens side.

That said, I haven't taken any shares and he's free (available in the18th round) of any underdog draft. Buying a tiny share of an Arthur Smith offense feels like lighting my entry fee on fire. Give me Warren, Harris, Pickens, Muth and occasional Fields lottery ticket for end of season rushing upside. THat's about it.

 

[H8fulHuck]

With the amount of vacated targets left behind by Johnson, the improvement at QB and OC, this guy is winding up on the bottom of a lot of my rosters this year. Sure he could be cut by week 3, but as a free end of draft lottery ticket, I think he's in a great situation. They have no one behind Pickens I'd worry about, and I'm not really a Roman Wilson believer. I think at worst he's on the field for every 3 WR set, and wouldn't be surprised if he's ahead of Wilson to start the season. It doesn't hurt hearing on a regular basis that Waldman is a fan too.

Agree with you. Diontae targets have to go somewhere, but unless the team trades for Aiyuk, the vast majority of the targets will shift to the TE and RB rooms. 170 TE passing attempts is realistic making Freiermuth the primary beneficiary.

Van Jefferson/Cal earning more than 6 targets per game seems unlikely.

 

[Faust]

Steelers on PennLive
Russell WIlson sees big things in Calvin Austin III

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[Shawnky]

With the amount of vacated targets left behind by Johnson, the improvement at QB and OC, this guy is winding up on the bottom of a lot of my rosters this year. Sure he could be cut by week 3, but as a free end of draft lottery ticket, I think he's in a great situation. They have no one behind Pickens I'd worry about, and I'm not really a Roman Wilson believer. I think at worst he's on the field for every 3 WR set, and wouldn't be surprised if he's ahead of Wilson to start the season. It doesn't hurt hearing on a regular basis that Waldman is a fan too.

Agree with you. Diontae targets have to go somewhere, but unless the team trades for Aiyuk, the vast majority of the targets will shift to the TE and RB rooms. 170 TE passing attempts is realistic making Freiermuth the primary beneficiary.

Van Jefferson/Cal earning more than 6 targets per game seems unlikely.

I'm not sure why you would come to that conclusion. TE's rarely see many targets on a team led by Wilson whether it was with the Hawks or Broncs. I would like to hope you're right as I have Freiermuth on my main dynasty roster as my TE 1a.

 

[H8fulHuck]

With the amount of vacated targets left behind by Johnson, the improvement at QB and OC, this guy is winding up on the bottom of a lot of my rosters this year. Sure he could be cut by week 3, but as a free end of draft lottery ticket, I think he's in a great situation. They have no one behind Pickens I'd worry about, and I'm not really a Roman Wilson believer. I think at worst he's on the field for every 3 WR set, and wouldn't be surprised if he's ahead of Wilson to start the season. It doesn't hurt hearing on a regular basis that Waldman is a fan too.

Agree with you. Diontae targets have to go somewhere, but unless the team trades for Aiyuk, the vast majority of the targets will shift to the TE and RB rooms. 170 TE passing attempts is realistic making Freiermuth the primary beneficiary.

Van Jefferson/Cal earning more than 6 targets per game seems unlikely.

I'm not sure why you would come to that conclusion. TE's rarely see many targets on a team led by Wilson whether it was with the Hawks or Broncs. I would like to hope you're right as I have Freiermuth on my main dynasty roster as my TE 1a.

Because of the OC calling plays. Arthur Smith was a TE coach early on in his career. Schemes up plays designed to feed his TE frequently as part of his run heavy offense. Puts stress on the defense to defend against the run, QB option, play action, moving pockets, TE leaking out.

More play design than Russ’ tendencies

 

[Bri]

Both Arthur and Tomlin have a love for the Gibbs Parcells Cowher overpowering type run game and big man TE systems. Once they start with two and three TEs, the slot loses reps.

I think he's more on the 5th6th WR maybe to be cut side than he's going to be a #2.
Van is fine in the slot if needed.
The rookie is the 2 asap.

They need another, especially while Wilson gets comfy but Arthur loves to have big WRs block for a RB running wide and this guy is 5-8. As I've said before, no the Steelers didn't necessarily do this but this is like the easiest sell to Tomlin too. Is he not going to want a big WR smashing a small CB so the RB can get free? Not to overstate the Steelers height at WR but 5-8 is woah small.

These two coaches mesh well. Like the Steelers hiring Mike Munchak. Some people are writing of a learning curve or adjustment period and I just imagine more like best buddies. Smith coached under Mularkey (Steelers player and OC) and **** Lebeau. There's a familiarity.

 

[pinkstapler]

Both Arthur and Tomlin have a love for the Gibbs Parcells Cowher overpowering type run game and big man TE systems. Once they start with two and three TEs, the slot loses reps.

I think he's more on the 5th6th WR maybe to be cut side than he's going to be a #2.
Van is fine in the slot if needed.
The rookie is the 2 asap.

They need another, especially while Wilson gets comfy but Arthur loves to have big WRs block for a RB running wide and this guy is 5-8. As I've said before, no the Steelers didn't necessarily do this but this is like the easiest sell to Tomlin too. Is he not going to want a big WR smashing a small CB so the RB can get free? Not to overstate the Steelers height at WR but 5-8 is woah small.

These two coaches mesh well. Like the Steelers hiring Mike Munchak. Some people are writing of a learning curve or adjustment period and I just imagine more like best buddies. Smith coached under Mularkey (Steelers player and OC) and **** Lebeau. There's a familiarity.

Poor Charles Richard Lebeau. Can't even say his preferred moniker online anymore lol.

 

[Shawnky]

With the amount of vacated targets left behind by Johnson, the improvement at QB and OC, this guy is winding up on the bottom of a lot of my rosters this year. Sure he could be cut by week 3, but as a free end of draft lottery ticket, I think he's in a great situation. They have no one behind Pickens I'd worry about, and I'm not really a Roman Wilson believer. I think at worst he's on the field for every 3 WR set, and wouldn't be surprised if he's ahead of Wilson to start the season. It doesn't hurt hearing on a regular basis that Waldman is a fan too.

Agree with you. Diontae targets have to go somewhere, but unless the team trades for Aiyuk, the vast majority of the targets will shift to the TE and RB rooms. 170 TE passing attempts is realistic making Freiermuth the primary beneficiary.

Van Jefferson/Cal earning more than 6 targets per game seems unlikely.

I'm not sure why you would come to that conclusion. TE's rarely see many targets on a team led by Wilson whether it was with the Hawks or Broncs. I would like to hope you're right as I have Freiermuth on my main dynasty roster as my TE 1a.

Because of the OC calling plays. Arthur Smith was a TE coach early on in his career. Schemes up plays designed to feed his TE frequently as part of his run heavy offense. Puts stress on the defense to defend against the run, QB option, play action, moving pockets, TE leaking out.

More play design than Russ’ tendencies

Sean Payton has always incorporated TEs to a large extent in his offenses as well. Look at last year. Not being pessimistic. I just don't think it's a given.

 

[Scooby1974]

What is this guy up to...is he going to be the new Diontae Johnson in Pittsburgh?

 

[TampaMike19]

What is this guy up to...is he going to be the new Diontae Johnson in Pittsburgh?

Good speed in the Darnell Mooney way. They need to use Pickens in a #1 intermediate way

 

[Faust]

Next Gen Stats
Calvin Austin III (73-yd Punt Return TD)

PR Yards Over Expected: +64*
TD Probability: 0.6%
Win Probability Added: +12.9% (68.4% to 81.3%)

*3rd-most PRYOE on a return this season

#NYGvsPIT | #HereWeGo

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[Faust]

Calvin Austin's 2 TDs help lead Steelers past Giants

 

[Faust]

Steelers' Calvin Austin III ruled out after helmet hits turf

 

[clever name]

Sneaky play this week? Did a little research. Found it interesting that his snap share went up from 30% in week 14 to 80% in week 15. Both games were without Pickens. Last week Steelers had the ball for only 41 total offensive plays as Eagles dominated time of posession. Austin caught 5 of the teams 22 completions and had 65 of the 128 total receiving yards. With the matchup and Pickens out again I think this might be a dark horse smash spot. Any thoughts?

 

[The Frankman]

Calvin Austin caught 4-of-6 targets for 70 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Jets.

He beat Brandon Stephens like a drum for his touchdown, and should have drawn a game-clinching DPI on Stephens on Pittsburgh’s final drive. More importantly, Austin played 43 of 53 Steelers snaps and easily distanced himself from Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek. Pittsburgh’s pass volume won’t always be this high, but Austin is probably deserving of a roster spot in 12-team leagues.
- Rotoworld

First blurb in almost 9 months? There's a chance Aaron Rodgers found his WR2:

Nathan Jahnke - NFL Week 1 Recap: Immediate fantasy football takeaways from Sunday's games

The Steelers have a clear WR2, but not a WR3: Calvin Austin III caught four passes for 70 yards and a touchdown, making him Pittsburgh's second wide receiver option.


Pittsburgh swapped out X wide receivers this offseason, trading away George Pickens and trading for D.K. Metcalf. They also moved on from starter Van Jefferson, leaving the door open for one more spot with the starters. Based on the preseason, that competition was wide open. After cut-down day, that was only a battle between Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek.


Austin was the presumed WR2, but he missed some time in the preseason due to injury. However, this game made it very clear that there is a gap between him and the other three receivers. Scotty Miller was both Metcalf and Austin' III's backup, while Skowronek and Wilson split time in 11 personnel. Typically, Skowronek was in the slot and Austin was out wide when Skowronek was on the field, while Wilson was out wide and Austin played in the slot when Wilson was on the field.


Austin is worth a waiver-wire add at this point. Aaron Rodgers has a long history with wide receivers who can play both out wide and in the slot, and Austin is the Steelers' only wide receiver who fits that description. If Rodgers keeps playing as well as he did in this game, then Austin could be a fantasy starter in the right matchups.

 

[SoBeDad]

Good game, even made a contested catch. Earned a DPI late in the game. Rodgers throws it to who ever gets open. It's always a comparison in FF, who to drop? Upside is better than many team's WR 2. Olympic speed. I'm holding on Thornton, but expect Austin to be a waiver priority this week.

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