3 versatile Steelers still trying to find their niche tonight vs Buccaneers

1. Calvin Austin III, Wide Receiver/Return Specialist

Calvin Austin III might be the biggest wildcard for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023. This team ranked dead last in yards after the catch in 2022, and they barely utilized the middle of the field. If all goes according to plan this season, Austin could help in a big way.

At the 2022 NFL Combine, Austin ran a 4.32 40-yard dash to pair with an insane 11'3'' broad jump. Simply put, the little guy is explosive. Unfortunately, his size could prove to be an issue. At 5'7 3/4'' and 170 pounds soaking wet, Austin's small catch radius has been noticeable at times this year, as he often struggles to fight back to the football or make contested catches consistently.

So what will his role be on the team? Is he a player who can only line up in the slot, or will the Steelers be able to use him in multiple ways on offense? Is he just a gadget that Pittsburgh must engineer targets for, or will he create on his own? And what are the Steelers getting in terms of kick and punt return ability?

All of these questions need to be answered soon, and it starts tonight in Pittsburgh's preseason opener against the Buccaneers. We would love to see a huge performance from Calvin Austin as he searches for his niche on this team for 2023 and beyond.