Raiders 2022 NFL draft: 3 surprising picks in the 3rd Round

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MEMPHIS, TN – SEPTEMBER 18: Calvin Austin III #4 of the Memphis Tigers looks on during the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on September 18, 2021, at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis defeated Mississippi State 31-29. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) /

Raiders 2022 NFL draft: 3 surprising picks in the 3rd Round

Calvin Austin III, WR, Memphis

Up first is the speedster wideout, Calvin Austin III.

Let me start by saying it’s anything but a guarantee Austin will still be on the board when the Raiders are on the clock at 86. That said, if by chance he is there, it’s hard to pass up on the Memphis stud. Here’s why:

Over the off-season, the Las Vegas Raiders made a trade to acquire a receiver you may have heard of; Davante Adams. The Silver and Black even took their receiver repairing mission one step further, by bringing in deep threats Demarcus Robinson and Mack Hollins.

All three of these guys are receivers who can create space deep, this is true, but none bring the speed Raiders’ are accustomed to having. On top of not having a burner, Tyron Johnson aside who will likely be on the roster bubble, the team is also missing a standout wide receiver no.2 on the outside. When it comes to Austin, he checks both of these boxes.

Not only does Calvin Austin run a 4.32 40, but he is a very polished receiver. From route running abilities to his hands, this is a player that has the skillset to be a formidable wideout. Recording back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons in the last two years, along with 19 combined touchdowns, Austin has proven that.

There are still more layers to Austin’s game, too. If you’re looking to call some designed runs from the outside, similar to what San Francisco does with Deebo Samuel, this is your guy. On 8 designed run attempts, Austin has taken three to the house, including a 69 and 83 yarder.

The one downside to this player is his size, being 5’9. If you were wondering how such a player might be available in the third, the depth of this position combined with that size makes that possible. For Las Vegas, this shouldn’t be a problem at all, as there are other guys on the offense who know how to use their bigger frame.

For Austin specifically, his elite separation skills make up for his lack of height.

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