Nobody blinked when the New York Giants signed wide receiver Calvin Austin III in free agency. The 27-year-old had a quiet season with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025 and is thought to be no more than a role player in New York. After the Giants' flurry of additions at the position later in the offseason, Austin's presence has been all but forgotten.
But the undersized receiver could be set for the biggest season of his career in 2026.
With a wide-open competition for targets and a unique skill set, Austin might be one of the biggest surprises on the Giants' roster this season.
Giants' Calvin Austin III is set for a breakout year in 2026
Not many 5'9", 162-pound players last in the NFL. in fact, Austin is one of the smallest players in the league. Yet his combination of blazing speed and quick cuts has made him a consistent threat to defenses.
Austin logged just 380 total receiving yards in Pittsburgh last year, but he wasn't in an offense that suited his abilities. Aaron Rodgers posted a career-low average depth of target of just 6.6 yards, one of the lowest marks in the league. He almost never pushed the ball down the field, making Austin's speed almost irrelevant.
Still, the receiver produced multiple explosive plays. In a better situation with the Giants, he could see his production explode.
Austin is set to be New York's starting slot receiver, taking over the role Wan'Dale Robinson held last season. While a new offensive play caller means a new scheme, Matt Nagy is expected to mold his system to fit what Jaxson Dart does best. That means a high rate of RPOs with plenty of deep shots mixed in. Last season, Dart ranked fourth in the NFL in attempts of 20 yards or more.
The undersized wide receiver will be able to weaponize his speed in a way that Pittsburgh's offense never allowed. Expect Nagy to move him around the offensive formation, creating favorable matchups for the receiver.
If Malik Nabers misses time at the beginning of the season, Austin will immediately compete with Darius Slayton for the de facto No. 1 wide receiver role. If he outplays the veteran in training camp, he could be earning a heavy target share to start the year.
While he might not reach the 1,000-yard mark that Robinson achieved, Austin could see a similar uptick in production.
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