3 bold predictions for Pittsburgh Steelers after NFL Draft

Jan 16, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin reacts during the first half in an AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 3

Calvin Austin III, Memphis Tigers. (The Commercial Appeal) /

2. Calvin Austin will outproduce George Pickens as a rookie

The Steelers’ official website is already touting Pickens as a wide receiver who can bring “finesse and physicality” to the team’s offense. As a second-round pick, it’s natural to assume he’s in line to make a big impact as a rookie.

Ironically, he’s not the rookie wide receiver best positioned to make a splash during his first professional season. That honor goes to fourth-round pick Calvin Austin. His status as a specialist in the slot gives him a better chance at early playing time than Pickens.

Pickens is going to be a factor before the season is through, but it might take him several weeks to take snaps away from the team’s more established starters on the outside. Neither Diontae Johnson nor Chase Claypool is going to come off the field in favor of Pickens anytime soon.

Smith-Schuster’s departure does leave a lot of snaps in the slot open for Austin. Pittsburgh might try to deploy Pickens as a power option on the inside in certain situations, but Austin’s wiggle will endear him to whoever plays quarterback for Pittsburgh next season. Expect the former Memphis standout to outproduce his Georgia counterpart in terms of catches and receiving yards next season.

Home/Pittsburgh Steelers