The Pittsburgh Steelers had a busy offseason, adding Russell Wilson and Patrick Queen while dealing Kenny Pickett. Now, they hope to overcome their playoff funk and win their first postseason game since 2016.
The performance of the Steelers’ underappreciated players could determine whether or not the team succeeds in its quest to become a Super Bowl contender in 2024. These two undervalued Steelers sleepers have the potential to be big players in the 2024 NFL season.
Calvin Austin III (WR)
After missing the 2022 season with a foot injury, Calvin Austin III entered 2023 with excitement around him as the unknown factor in the Steelers receiving corps. The 2022 fourth-round pick had a strong start, recording 12 catches for 143 yards in Pittsburgh’s first four games.
Austin was on pace to surpass 600 receiving yards in his first season but was barely involved in the Steelers offense the rest of the year. The wideout had just nine catches for 54 yards over the next three months to finish the campaign.
Despite the offseason trade of top wide receiver Diontae Johnson, Austin remains the fourth wide receiver on this Pittsburgh team, behind rookie third-round choice Roman Wilson and free agent signing Van Jefferson.
Although Austin is faster and more athletic than Wilson, Wilson still has a lot of promise. The Memphis wide receiver led all wideouts at the NFL Draft Combine in 2022 with an overall Athleicism Score of 99, and he ran the third-fastest 40-yard sprint among wide receivers in 4.32 seconds.
With the fourth fewest pass attempts in the NFL last season, Calvin Austin III was the ninth option available to catch passes for the offense. However, Austin was identified by rookie Roman as the team’s wide receiver leader.
The Steelers’ passing attack is expected to be more effective in 2024 with new quarterback Russell Wilson at the controls and an improved offensive line. Calvin Austin III, one of the most seasoned players in this bunch of young wide receivers, might be the main winner.
Darnell Washington (TE)
Darnell Washington, a different physical specimen who was highly intriguing heading into the draft, had a low-key rookie campaign. The Georgia tight end played 48% of the offensive snaps for the Steelers, but only managed seven catches for 61 yards and no touchdowns.
Washington’s usefulness was primarily as a blocker, but with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, he could play a bigger role offensively in his second NFL season.
When Smith was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons in 2023, the team’s tight ends combined for 1,380 yards in the air, which topped the NFL in receiving yards by TEs. With a career-high 582 receiving yards, tight end Jonnu Smith trailed closely behind Kyle Pitts, who led with 667 yards.
Pitts played 64% of the offensive snaps for the Falcons, with Smith playing 58% of them. Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington might help the Steelers offensive sustain a level of output like to that in 2024.
Darnell Washington’s blocking will get him more playing time in 2024 because Arthur Smith will be using tight ends more frequently. The 6-7 could ease the Steelers’ red zone angst since they finished 25th in 2023 in terms of touchdown percentage.
However, Smith’s dependence on play-action passes (43% of their pass plays) suggests that Washington might be in line for a breakthrough year in 2024 as a pass-catcher. Smith will be able to take advantage of his size and underappreciated speed to create mismatches all over the field, particularly in the end zone.
