49ers NFL Draft: 4 college prospects who could replace Deebo Samuel

2 of 4

Calvin Austin III #4 of the Memphis Tigers (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) /

player. Pick Analysis. Wide Receiver. Memphis. 3. Scouting Report. Calvin Austin III. 858

49ers replacement for Deebo Samuel No. 3: Calvin Austin III, Memphis

Don’t get hung up on the idea San Francisco will be looking for a Deebo Samuel replacement (if it does at all) and solely exploring prospects who can serve as both a receiver and a running back. Head coach Kyle Shanahan would just as much entertain playmaking speed and explosiveness as alternatives to Samuel’s multipurpose use.

Sticking with the smaller side, Memphis wide receiver Calvin Austin III is simply electrifying when he gets the ball in his hands, showcasing some of the yards-after-the-catch skills that helped make Samuel who he is today.

Calvin Austin III Receiving & Rushing Table
		Receiving	Rushing	Scrimmage
Year	School	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Plays	Yds	Avg	TD
*2018	Memphis	American	FR	WR	4	2	24	12.0	0	1	83	83.0	1	3	107	35.7	1
*2019	Memphis	American	SO	WR	9	17	315	18.5	3	4	3	0.8	1	21	318	15.1	4
*2020	Memphis	American	JR	WR	11	63	1053	16.7	11	2	14	7.0	0	65	1067	16.4	11
2021	Memphis	American	SR	WR	12	74	1149	15.5	8	1	69	69.0	1	75	1218	16.2	9
Career	Memphis					156	2541	16.3	22	8	169	21.1	3	164	2710	16.5	25

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference
Generated 4/13/2022.

However, Austin’s tiny size (5-foot-9 and 162 pounds) is going to be a deterrent for teams interested in him even if he blazed away at the NFL Combine with a 4.32 40-yard time. And while he doesn’t back away from physical challenges, it’s not hard to see why he might have all kinds of challenges against bigger, stronger defensive backs.

Still, an explosion is an explosion. Austin has those traits.

His impressive combine likely put him into consideration for a day-two pick, but the 49ers may wind up with a steal if he falls into Round 4.