Calvin Austin NFL Draft Profile: More Than A Gadget Weapon
Memphis wide receiver Calvin Austin is an athlete. His track background provides immense athleticism and explosiveness at a position where it is essential. The only shortcoming with the prospect is just that, his shorter stature. 5-foot-8 173-pounds is not the typical mold one would want from a wide receiver in the NFL. But I can assure you that Calvin Austin will be a hot commodity come the NFL Draft by many teams.
As a Memphis track star, Austin was a walk on to the football team in 2019. In his junior season he eclipsed 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns. And this past season the playmaker marked 1,145 yards and 8 scores. What’s more impressive is that a majority of Austin’s snaps came on the outside. That is vital considering how many people want to pigeonhole him to a slot role due to his lack of size. Let it be known, Calvin Austin can play on the outside.
Going into the Senior Bowl, Austin was relatively unknown compared to other top-tier prospects at Mobile. But what he showed off was more than enough to have him being the topic of conversation everyday. The way he explodes off the line and just gets open is absurd. Compared to all the other receivers at the Senior Bowl, the Memphis product just moved at a different gear. Getting open at all levels of the field is an important aspect to consider. He is shifty and crafty as a route runner. His change of direction while flying downfield is something to marvel at.
At the NFL Combine, Calvin Austin just pushed his draft stock even further. At the 40-yard dash, he ran a blazing 4.32. Followed by an 11-foot-3 broad jump proves that the explosiveness on tape was the real deal. I can’t stress enough how Austin just moves differently. The shiftiness while operating at 4.3 level speed led to him running away defenders. Let it also be known that the undersized receiver excelled against both man and zone coverage. We’ve seen how he can get by defenders in one on one, but the ability to find holes against zone is a steep learning curve for some receiving prospects.
If I do have one critique, it’s that he is not physical enough to go through contact. In contested catch situations Austin should not be your go to guy. But at the same time, you shouldn’t have him put in a position like that in the first place. Lining him up on the outside or slot (just off the line of scrimmage) will allow him more room to operate and explode past defensive backs.
In terms of what teams should be looking to draft Calvin Austin, it’d be anyone looking for a slot or outside man off the line of scrimmage. Obviously, Austin doesn’t project as an X receiver at the NFL level. That role is best fit for other draft prospects. Team with early to mid second round picks would not surprise me calling Austin’s name on draft night. The Bears could be looking for a receiving threat of Austin’s caliber to help the development of Justin Fields. Even a team like the Atlanta Falcons who are devoid of talent in the receiving corps after the suspension of Calvin Ridley. Austin would come in and provide immediate help considering the other pass-catchers consist of Auden Tate and Olamide Zaccheus.
Regardless of who will be taking Calvin Austin on draft night, that team will be getting much much more than a gadget or undersized slot receiver. They will have a young electric playmaker who can get open on all levels of the field.
