Tag: Calvin Austin III

Vikings 7-round mock draft: Will Minnesota take a different approach?

Tyler Forness’ full mock draft for the Vikings

Now that the combine has passed, the draft picture is becoming more and more clear. The combine itself provides a lot of crucial information to help us better understand these players. Whether it be physical measurements or athletic testing to help quantify what you see on film, the data is very important to parse out the entire class.

For the Minnesota Vikings, there is only one position that they don’t need to upgrade immediately and that is offensive tackle. Otherwise, they can truly go best player available to try and help improve their roster.

I’ve conducted a seven-round mock draft using The Draft Network’s draft simulator.

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Ten prospects that shined at the Combine that would look good in Cleveland

Our @joshkeatley16 has ten prospects that shined at the Combine that would look good in Cleveland:

#Browns

The NFL Scouting Combine is now in the books and as I am speaking someone somewhere is moving a prospect either up or down by six rounds due to their 40-yard dash time, but the combine should be taken into consideration, but shouldn’t be the only way to evaluate a prospect.

The scouting combine is just one of the tools in the scouting tool belt and I typically don’t move my rankings based on combine results, but I will go back and take a second look at a prospect to see if there is something that I missed or if I need to take a deeper look at a guy.  The following are ten guys that had impressive enough showings that I need to take a deeper look and I urge the Cleveland Browns to do the same.

5 Chargers targets who stood out on Day 1 of NFL Scouting Combine: Wide receivers

Highlighting five wide receivers who stood out on the first day of the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.

The first day of on-field workouts at the Senior Bowl did not disappoint. The wide receivers, especially, put on a show at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN, as they went through the crucial stage of testing in the NFL draft process.

Here are five pass-catchers who increased their stock with eye-opening demonstrations of athleticism.

Christian Watson, North Dakota State

The 6-4, 208-pound weapon from North Dakota State was unguardable at the Senior Bowl, flashing elite short-area quickness, dependable hands, and keen ball tracking skills. He continued his success with a freakish performance in the preliminary drills at the Combine, recording a 38.5” vertical leap and 11.4” broad jump. Then Watson ran an unofficial 4.28-second 40-yard dash, which was later corrected to 4.36. That’s still blazing fast for a receiver of his size.

According to Next Gen Stats, Watson is just one of three receivers standing 6-4 or above to record an athleticism score over 90 in the model since 2003. Watson’s draft stock continues its meteoric rise as his dominance in each task proves that out of all the tasks thrown at him, there is nothing he can’t do at a high level.

Chris Olave, Ohio State

A contender for the title as the best route runner in his class, Olave confirmed his stature as a 6-foot receiver and the silky route running style that earned him canyons of separation at Ohio State. Olave recorded the most surprising 40-yard dash time of the group, initially flying to a 4.26 before its amendment to 4.36. The result should make NFL scouts and evaluators feel better about his top-end speed and abilities as a vertical threat.

Bo Melton, Rutgers

Crafty releases and quickness popped in Melton’s tape at Rutgers and he brought his bag with him to the Senior Bowl, earning him a label as one the draft’s most underrated pass catchers. Melton torched the 40-yard dash with two times in the 4.3 range, with his second attempt confirmed at 4.34 seconds. Melton also had a 38” vertical jump, which ranked among the top 10 receivers that tested at the Combine. He should be firmly on the radar of evaluators now.

Calvin Austin III, Memphis

At the Senior Bowl, Austin illustrated that his size as a 5-7, 170-pound receiver are just ornamental numbers. Cornerbacks failed to touch him off the line and allowed Austin to slash his way to an electrifying performance in the three days of 1-on-1 matchups with rapid foot fire, snappy cuts, and overall elusiveness throughout his route. The Combine was another stop for Austin to stick it to the underestimators, which he accomplished in the form of a 39” vertical and 4.32-second 40-yard dash (third-fastest among this year’s receivers). The former Memphis walk-on’s history of overcoming obstacles he has met in his football journey carries on.

Skyy Moore, Western Michigan

Moore has been shooting up draft boards in recent weeks as his ball skills, instincts, and toughness after the catch earned him supporters. Despite measurements at 5-10 and 195 pounds, Moore ran a 4.41 40-yard dash. His natural catching ability and mid-flight adjustments were on display in the forthcoming drills while the gauntlet exercise verified the sturdiness of his massive 10.25” mitts, which enveloped the ball. A strong showing in Indy might have solidified his bid for a Day 2 selection.

Receiver standouts from the first day of scouting combine drills

These receivers did the most to improve their draft stock during Thursday’s scouting combine drills.

If you like speedy receivers, the 2022 scouting combine is for you. Before this combine, the record for receivers running official sub-4.4 40-yard dashes was seven. In this class, a full 14 ran unofficial sub-4.4 40-yard dashes, and while that number will drop when the times become official, the speed on the track at Lucas Oil Stadium was obvious.

Of course, there’s more to the position than running in a straight line. NFL evaluators will tell you that the tape tells you at least 80% of the story, and bowl games and postseason activities (combine, pro days) rack up the remainder. But from a pure traits perspective, here are the receivers who helped themselves the most at the 2022 scouting combine.

WATCH: Memphis WR Calvin Austin III runs blazing 40-yard dash at NFL combine

Whatever he lacks in size, Calvin Austin III makes up for with blazing speed, which he showed off at the NFL Scouting Combine

Wide receivers running the 40-yard dash is one of the main events every year at the NFL Scouting Combine, and this year’s group started with a bang.

Memphis’ Calvin Austin III was the first receiver up, and he set the tone with a time that nobody else in his group would beat, 4.32 seconds.

Austin may not be the biggest pass-catcher in this year’s deep class, but he obviously makes up for it with blazing speed, something he put on full display Thursday night in Indianapolis.

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4 mid-round slot WRs Titans should watch at NFL combine

We know the big names, but who are some lesser-known WRs the Titans should be watching at the 2022 NFL Combine?

It’s safe to say that the Tennessee Titans will have an interest in selecting a wide receiver in the 2022 NFL draft. Last season revealed the ugly truth of how anemic the Titans’ offense can be without A.J. Brown and Julio Jones in the lineup.

While both returned to the lineup in the playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Jones turned 33 last month and is coming off two injury-plagued seasons in a row.

Tennessee has a number of wide receivers set to become free agents; however, none are likely to fill the void at the slot receiver position.

There figures to be plenty of high-end wide receiver talent available at the 26th overall pick in the draft, but should the Titans decide to wait until the third round to grab a much-needed slot receiver, here are four the team could target that they should be watching at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine.

SKOL Search: What can Vikings learn from Mobile?

The 2022 Senior Bowl was jam-packed with talent. Who should the Vikings keep an eye on?

The Senior Bowl is a fantastic event for many reasons, but the biggest reason is how much you can learn from this class. Over 100 players attend the event in Mobile to show off their skills and speak with teams. Throughout the week, players are put through drills to showcase their skills and traits.

The Senior Bowl staff, led by director Jim Nagy, has done a fantastic job not only finding players from high profile programs, but also standouts from the lower levels. These lower level guys usually have dominant tape, but this platform gives teams the ability to see them compete on an even playing field.

Players like Ali Marpet, Kyle Dugger and Carson Wentz have massively benefitted from being invited to Mobile.

When down in Mobile, there are a lot of different things you can take away from the event. Along with learning about the players, it’s also a major outlet for scouts and media to converse and learn more about what other teams think of the class and to hear what rumors are swirling.

After having been in Mobile this past week, here are the five biggest takeaways for the Minnesota Vikings.

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2022 Senior Bowl: 4 potential Chargers CB/WR who stood out from Day 1

Identifying four wide receivers and cornerbacks who stood out on the first day of Senior Bowl practices.

The first day of Senior Bowl practices is in the books and the buzz around certain prospects has already reached a fever pitch.

Here are four players the Chargers could target across the wide receiver and cornerback positions that exceeded expectations on Tuesday.

WR – Christian Watson, NDSU
An unmistakable figure standing at 6’4” as he towered over the rest of the National wide receiver group, Watson was hard to miss as the first day of Senior Bowl practices kicked off. The small school product quickly commanded all the eyes in the stadium as he displayed uncanny quickness off the line, sunk into his cuts with ease, and shot away from defenders. 

In the one-on-one period, Watson excelled in a variety of areas. He distanced himself with smooth routes, made catches away from his frame, and relished in blocking duties when on the field for run plays. Watson also recorded the fifth-highest speed at the practice, clocking in at 20.71 miles per hour. Expect eyes to remain on him throughout the week after the strong showing.

WR – Calvin Austin III, Memphis
A day after his height was confirmed to be two inches shorter than expected, the 5’7” Austin put on a clinic as he put his top-end jets to the test against the American team’s premier cornerback talent. One of the fastest players in the draft, Austin became a lightning bolt off the line and cooked overeager opponents attempting to squash him in press coverage. When given a free release, Austin flashed by his opponent and generated large gaps of separation with his speed. It was a tough day for the receivers competing against the likes of Roger McCreary, Mario Goodrich, and Derion Kendrick all afternoon. However, Austin was the one threat that stood out and consistently threatened vertical.

CB – Coby Bryant, Cincinnati
In his black uniform and red pants, Bryant looked like he was suited up for another game with the Bearcats and he enjoyed a comfortable day holding his own under the lights of Hancock-Whitney stadium. Bryant looked calm, fluid, and dominant against every receiver he lined up across. The traits that made him the Jim Thorpe Award winner traveled with him to Mobile, and he nearly intercepted Nevada quarterback Carson Strong on a deep ball during 7-on-7 drills. Often overlooked in favor of the flashy resume of Ahmad Gardner, Bryant has carved a reputation of his own right as one of the Senior Bowl’s must-watch prospects in the secondary.

CB – Akayleb Evans, Missouri
Evans had made an impact as one of the biggest surprises of the Senior Bowl so far, standing out among a crowded American cornerback room. He was a standout defending the American team receivers in press coverage as he accurately landed strikes as a physical presence at the line of scrimmage. Evans was able to turn and run easily and did not allow much breathing room as he blanketed his assignments downfield. After practice, Evans was presented with the Alabama Power Community Service Award for his time spent giving back to others and the efforts of his foundation, which provides scholarships for high school students from Evan’s hometown.

Chargers Scouting Report: Memphis WR Calvin Austin III

Putting Memphis WR Calvin Austin III under the microscope to see if he is a fit for the Chargers.

Practices for the 2022 Senior Bowl begin on Tuesday and many of the nation’s top prospects will be on display for coaches and scouts to evaluate.

With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely.

Today, I am taking a look at Memphis wide receiver Calvin Austin III.

Calvin Austin III, Memphis, #4, Senior, Austin, TX,  5’9”, 162

40-yard Dash: N/A
Bench Press: N/A
Vertical Jump: N/A
Broad Jump: N/A
3-Cone Drill: N/A
20-Yard Shuttle: N/A

Career: 2021 First Team All-AAC selection. Had 156 catches, 2,541 receiving yards, and 22 touchdowns in 36 games. Competed in track and field during his four-year career at Memphis. Former walk-on that chose his hometown school over other offers.

Red Flags: None

Strengths: Firecracker off the line that employs a diverse array of releases to explode past his defender and win during his opening steps. Showcases fast feet and quick, short strides that blast away from press strikes and help him avoid getting crammed toward the beginning of his route. Has premier speed that can stretch the field, blow up secondaries, and make defenses respect the game-changing potential of his vertical talent. His burners will compete for the status as the fastest player in the draft. Calculated route runner that sinks his hips well and accelerates effortlessly through various intervals of his assignment. Tough and dauntless when extending for catches he knows will come with punishment. Slick creator after the catch that melts pursuit angles with his twitch and finds a way to escape plugged lanes in the open field. 

Weaknesses: Contact balance and ability to absorb hits weakened by smaller size and frame. Not a delicate player by any means, but concerns persist over his durability taking shots over the middle. Can be completely smothered and bashed around by bigger defenders if he is unable to separate. Lack of length diminishes his catch radius and will require heightened accuracy from the quarterback on contested targets. While he enjoyed plenty of time outside at Memphis, he will be required to operate from the slot and benefit from manufactured touches at the next level.

Final Word: Shifty and bursting with energy, Austin is an explosive product that has proved size isn’t everything when playing wide receiver. With top-end speed, unpredictable route running, and electric playmaking with the ball in his hands, Austin is a complete receiver that is far from the gadget role a player of his stature would typically be projected as. Austin projects as a dynamic slot man that can galvanize an offense through his cleverness as a separation specialist.

Fit Likelihood: High

Grade: 2nd

Film Highlights

Austin earning a free inside release with a jab step against press coverage before losing the defensive back at the top of his route for the touchdown.

Austin slashing through the Navy defense on a reverse play.

Memphis scores on bizarre 94-yard punt return against Mississippi State

Memphis’ Calvin Austin picked up a punted ball Missississippi State thought it had downed and returned it for a TD

One of the stranger plays of the season to date — or for the entire season — took place on Saturday as Mississippi State played at Memphis.

The Tigers led 21-17 in the fourth quarter when the Bulldogs punted.

The ball was kept out of the end zone by one of the Mississippi State special teams players. Another thought he downed it inside the Memphis 10.

However, an alert Calvin Austin III picked up the ball and took off the other way. While one Mississippi State player congratulated another and an official looked like he was calling the play dead.

But …

Before Mississippi State knew it, Austin was in the end zone 94 yards later for a Memphis touchdown.

Austin had already caught a pair of touchdown passes in the second half before his alert decision.

The touchdown Memphis a 28-17 lead en route to a 31-29 victory. It was the Tigers’ 17th home win in a row and it came over an SEC opponent. Memphis has won 22 consecutive nonconference home games, with the last loss coming in 2013

The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs by the same score Alabama topped Florida an hour or so earlier.