2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Calvin Austin





  • Calvin Austin, 5-8/170

  • Wide Receiver

  • Memphis


  • Calvin Austin III Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Extremely fast
  • Serious second-gear acceleration
  • Glides through the defense with easy speed
  • So fast he takes any angles from defenses
  • Threat to score and rip off long gains on any touch
  • Consistently creates separation
  • First-step quickness
  • Burst out of his breaks
  • Dangerous run-after-the-catch skills
  • Stretches a defense vertically
  • Deep-threat receiver
  • Sudden
  • Ready to contribute quickly




  • Weaknesses:
  • Very undersized
  • Short
  • Light
  • Very thin framed
  • Lacks strength
  • Ability to hold up in the NFL?
  • Could be limited to being a slot receiver


  • Summary: Over the past few seasons, Memphis has produced some really good playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, and Austin will keep that tradition going in the 2022 NFL Draft. Austin put together an impressive 2020 season, recording 63 catches for 1,053 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was even better in 2021, catching 74 passes for 1,149 yards and eight touchdowns. He then played well at the Senior Bowl and showed a consistent ability to generate separation from the all-star cornerbacks.

    There is no doubt Austin has some serious speed for the NFL. He is a true home run hitter who is a threat to score on any touch of the ball. Austin is extremely fast, possessing the ability to run past defenders and explode down the field for a long gain. With his great burst, serious acceleration, and shiftiness, Austin can generate quick separation, and he bolts downfield in a blur. Austin uses his quality vision and feel to track the ball well, and he shows an advanced ability to make over-the-shoulder receptions. Austin runs crisp routes, has sudden athleticism, and has strong hands for a small wideout. He also could be a special teams contributor as a returner.



    Austin is very undersized for the NFL. He is short, light, thin of frame and lacks strength. Austin could struggle with the length of NFL cornerbacks, and his small size could lead to him having issues maintaining possession through contact, and avoiding injury is a concern given how tiny Austin is for the professional ranks. Even for a slot receiver, Austin is really undersized for the NFL.

    If Austin were 20 pounds heavier and a little taller, he would be a first-round pick because of his game-changing speed. As things stand, Austin looks more like a second- or third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.



    Player Comparison: John Brown/Hunter Renfrow. Austin reminds me of a cross between Brown and Renfrow. Brown (5-11, 178) is undersized, but a deep-threat receiver with serious speed, and Austin is similar in that regard. Austin, however, is a better route-runner and more shifty on underneath routes than Brown, and in this aspect, Austin reminds me of Renfrow.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2022 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2022 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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