8 prospects surging up Panthers draft board after the 2022 Combine
By Dean Jones
Calvin Austin III – WR (Memphis)
All eyes were on Calvin Austin III ahead of his 40-yard dash. The wide receiver boasts Olympic-like speed and did not disappoint with a phenomenal 4.32-second time in front of NFL scouts and other key front office personnel.
The Carolina Panthers might not have the biggest need for another pass-catcher. However, there is growing speculation that Robby Anderson will be traded after a disappointing 2021 and the likes of Terrace Marshall Jr. and Shi Smith also have big questions to answer ahead of their sophomore campaigns.
General manager Scott Fitterer is always keen to go with the best player available rather than focus too much on specific needs. But it’s hard to gauge just where Austin is going to go during the draft at this stage and with no Day 2 selection, the Panthers would need to pick up some additional draft capital if they identify the Memphis product as a prospect of interest.
Letting Curtis Samuel walk in free agency left Carolina without a dominant slot weapon last season. Austin might not be the biggest wideout to ever grace the NFL, but his elusiveness and phenomenal ability to gain yards after the catch could help on offense and in the return game.
Austin is a player that should be a hot commodity and might thrive at the next level providing he is used in the correct manner.