Steelers WR Calvin Austin III hopes to be a top target for QB Aaron Rodgers this season. At least so far, he is making a positive impression. Though undersized, he has one defining trait in his pure straight-line speed, which earned him a mid-round draft position. Going into the final year of his rookie contract, he wants to prove he can be a starter.<\/p>\n
Showing the skills that are required to be a starting wide receiver is a good place to begin. And Austin has reportedly caught Rodgers\u2019 eye already<\/a>. We heard that from beat writers during minicamp, but recently, Austin shared his own thoughts on the subject. Appearing on Action News 5 in Memphis<\/a>, he discussed the Steelers\u2019 offseason and his upcoming season.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first time I met [Aaron Rodgers], one of the first things he said was about my speed\u201d, Austin said. \u201cObviously, that\u2019s my main thing. It\u2019s something that got me to the point I\u2019m at today. But one of the other things he was talking about was me going over the middle to make those tough catches. That was something that I really worked on last year and wanted to show that I\u2019m not just a straight down-the-field speed guy\u201d.<\/p>\n Earlier this offseason, Steelers WR coach Zach Azzanni named Austin his No. 2 WR<\/a>. There is still plenty of time to change that, but that appears to be how they will open camp. Unless, of course, they add somebody, maybe even a former Aaron Rodgers target. They did add TE Jonnu Smith, who can handle some wide receiver tasks.<\/p>\n Despite his lack of size, Calvin Austin wants to show Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers he is made of firmer stuff than that. While he has excellent deep-ball potential, he wants to be a complete receiver. That includes making the tough plays, the catches over the middle, that can help decide games.<\/p>\n \u201cTough third downs, across the middle, I\u2019m the guy that can make those catches and show up in those big, crucial moments\u2019, Austin said. \u201cThat\u2019s where you earn your stripes. That\u2019s where you earn the respect of your quarterback, the team, the coaches, when you make those catches\u201d.<\/p>\n