The 2024 NFL draft was jam packed with wide receiver talent. Malik Nabers, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Rome Odunze were discussed at every turn and were subsequently selected in the top ten. The next tier or two of receivers in the draft class did not get a lot of hype but this is why you subscribe to Ourlads. We look under every stone and then go back and look under each stone a second time to make sure we didn’t miss anything. Wilson received a day-two grade from us and that is exactly where the Steelers took him with the 84th overall selection. “This is the kind of weapon an offense wants to have in their arsenal on third and manageable. Can be a 100-catch receiver at the next level and will add return value. He will outperform several players drafted ahead of him” was what we had on him coming out of Michigan in the draft guide. The rookie year did not get off to a hot start as he fought multiple lower body injuries and the Steelers remained a run-heavy team.
Calvin Austin III is on the ascent. He missed his rookie season in 2022 with a foot injury. In his first real taste of game action in 2023, he was in and out of the offensive gameplan and the special teams impact was not there. The 2024 season was the breakout. Austin had the second most catches and yards among receivers while lining up in the slot for the majority of his reps. Pittsburgh quarterbacks had a higher passer rating when throwing his way than any receiver on the team. He also added a return touchdown. Remember, this is a 4.3-speed blazer and the new offense in Pittsburgh now has an upgrade at quarterback in Aaron Rodgers and another deep threat in DK Metcalf who can move. Having two explosive options is a foreign concept to an offense that appears stuck in the past and in need of change.
Prediction: Wilson
The one concern about Austin is one we often see with track stars-turned football players, and it is durability. Austin, who has been sidelined during camp with an undisclosed injury, is missing out on valuable chemistry-building time with Rodgers. Wilson, on the other hand, appears to have won over the new quarterback’s respect and the two have been connecting at an increasing rate through camp. His ability to play fast and sudden is an ideal fit for the way Rodgers plays now. He has been taking his time to throw down and with the way Arthur Smith likes to call plays, his ability to get open in a hurry and create after the catch is currently a missing ingredient to their air attack.