PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He hasn’t attended OTAs during the first week, but DK Metcalf has spent a lot of time around the team and seems to have already made an impact.
The new Steelers top receiver spent a couple of weeks in Pittsburgh prior to Organized Team Activities. He worked out with the guys and has already built a rapport with some of them.
“It’s going great, me and him communicate a lot,” said Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth. “He’s been here the past couple of weeks. It’s been good to work with him.”
“It’s been great,” said Steelers receiver Calvin Austin. “He’s from Mississippi and I’m from Memphis, so we are both southern guys. You could tell from day one, he just came in ready to work. Showed up to the early lifts. Engaged in meetings. Anytime he gets the ball he finishes 15-20 yards.”
The 27-year-old has had at least 900 yards receiving in each of his six seasons with Seattle. Three times he went over 1,000 yards and twice with double-digit touchdowns. He also catches over 60% of the passes that came his way.
Quarterback Mason Rudolph said they had a week together to work and what jumps out is what probably jumps out to all of us. Metcalf is a great athlete. You just need to turn on a game to realize that, but he found there is much more to the sixth-year NFL receiver.
“I thought just his wanting to learn,” Rudolph said of what impressed him about Metcalf. “His questions. He’s inquisitive, very intelligent, very articulate. I thought that was big-time. He’s a low ego guy. He’s been paid a lot, been very successful, but very hungry to improve.”
Receiver Robert Woods played in Metcalf’s division and said what DK really does for their group is not as much him getting his stats, but what he does to open it up for everyone else.
“I think all of that creates space and opens up the middle of the field, down the field,” Woods said. “You have a receiver like myself, Calvin, Brandon, Scotty, guys who can play with DK. If he is popping off, we are going to cross, come underneath. I think it’s a good mesh with guys in the room.”
“It’s funny, we were watching film, just us lining up in stacks and bunches and it looks like we have two tight ends out there in 11 personnel,” Freiermuth said. “It’s been great to work with him and talk shop with another receiver about how he runs routes and see coverages, it’s been great.”
“It’s easy to see why he’s had the success in the league,” Austin said. “He’ll be a great addition for our room and our offense.”