After contributing very little through the first two weeks of the season, second-year wideout Calvin Austin III had a big day in Week 3 for the Pittsburgh Steelers. With the team on a roll at 3-0 and new quarterback Justin Fields settling in nicely, is Austin worth an add for your fantasy football team?
Should Calvin Austin Be Added on the Fantasy Waiver Wire in Week 4?
After Van Jefferson left the game with an eye injury, the Steelers were down to three active receivers — George Pickens, Scotty Miller and Austin. Despite catching just one short pass in each of Pittsburgh’s first two games, Austin was ready to make an impact, and he closed the day out with four catches for 95 yards, including a long touchdown reception on a nice throw from Fields.
JUSTIN FIELDS TO CALVIN AUSTIN III. 55-YARD TD.
📺: #LACvsPIT on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/IyvXrXm1pU— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
Austin showed some impressive burst on the catch-and-run, scoring despite catching the ball with little momentum. This game marked a serious breakout for Austin, who accrued just 17 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown last year, although he did also carry the ball 11 times for 57 rushing yards and another touchdown.
While he hasn’t recorded a rush this season, there’s an interesting similarity between Austin’s production thus far in 2024 with what he did a year ago; it was significantly driven by one huge play. Last season, his one receiving touchdown was a 72-yard strike from Kenny Pickett.
This usually isn’t a particularly sustainable approach from a fantasy perspective. Simply put, Austin could play great football and help his team by providing the occasional big play, but he probably won’t be involved consistently enough to be worth rostering in fantasy.
It’s also worth noting that in addition to Jefferson’s potential to return before too long, rookie receiver Roman Wilson is likely to be ready to go in Week 4, or perhaps just a bit later. Austin already doesn’t have a big enough role to make him a true fantasy option, and he could be an even smaller piece of the picture going forward.
Fields does need to throw to someone, so if Wilson or Jefferson has setbacks this week, Austin could see a bit of volume. If your team really needs a receiver or flex to fill the lineup for one week, there’s a chance he could be of help, but don’t think of him as a valuable long-term addition.