Tavon Austin’s Draft Profile
Tavon Austin was a highly touted prospect coming out of West Virginia University, known for his exceptional speed and agility. His electrifying playmaking ability made him a popular target for NFL teams looking to add a dynamic weapon to their offense.
College Career and Statistics, Tavon austin draft pick
Austin’s college career at West Virginia was marked by consistent production and electrifying performances. He was a versatile player, excelling as a wide receiver, running back, and return specialist. Austin’s speed and agility were evident in his impressive statistics. He totaled 2,961 receiving yards, 1,474 rushing yards, and 34 touchdowns in his three seasons with the Mountaineers. He also established himself as a dangerous returner, averaging 26.7 yards per kickoff return and 12.2 yards per punt return.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Austin’s primary strengths as a prospect were his speed, agility, and versatility. He possessed exceptional speed, which allowed him to separate from defenders and create big plays. His agility and elusiveness made him difficult to tackle in the open field. Austin’s versatility was another asset, as he could line up at various positions on offense and contribute on special teams.
- Speed: Austin’s speed was his most notable attribute. He was clocked at a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, showcasing his exceptional burst and acceleration. This speed allowed him to create separation from defenders and turn short passes into big gains.
- Agility: Austin’s agility was equally impressive. He had excellent footwork and balance, allowing him to make quick cuts and juke defenders. His agility was evident in his ability to make plays in tight spaces and avoid tackles in the open field.
- Versatility: Austin’s versatility was another strength. He could line up as a wide receiver, running back, or return specialist, providing offensive coordinators with multiple options. This versatility made him a valuable asset for any team.
Austin’s weaknesses as a prospect included his size and durability. He was undersized for a wide receiver, which could limit his ability to win contested catches and withstand physical contact. Austin also had a history of injuries, which raised concerns about his long-term durability.
Comparison to Other Top Receivers
Austin’s draft profile was compared to other top receivers in his draft class, including Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, and Odell Beckham Jr. These receivers were all highly regarded for their physical attributes and potential. However, Austin’s unique blend of speed, agility, and versatility set him apart from the others.
- Sammy Watkins: Watkins was a big, physical receiver with excellent hands and route-running ability. He was considered a more traditional wide receiver than Austin, but lacked Austin’s explosive speed and agility.
- Mike Evans: Evans was another big, physical receiver with impressive size and catching ability. He was known for his ability to win contested catches, but lacked Austin’s speed and elusiveness.
- Odell Beckham Jr.: Beckham Jr. was a dynamic playmaker with exceptional route-running ability and hands. He was considered a more polished receiver than Austin, but lacked Austin’s speed and versatility.
The St. Louis Rams’ Draft Strategy: Tavon Austin Draft Pick
The St. Louis Rams entered the 2013 NFL Draft with a clear objective: to rebuild a team that had struggled in recent years. The Rams had a young roster with a lot of potential, but they lacked a dynamic playmaker on offense. The team also needed to address some key defensive needs, particularly in the secondary.
The Rationale for Selecting Tavon Austin
The Rams’ decision to select Tavon Austin with the eighth overall pick was based on their belief that he could be the game-changing offensive weapon they desperately needed. Austin was a highly-touted prospect out of West Virginia University, known for his explosive speed, agility, and versatility. He was seen as a player who could create big plays both as a receiver and a running back. The Rams were confident that Austin’s skillset would allow him to thrive in their offensive system and make an immediate impact.
The Impact of the Rams’ Draft Strategy
The Rams’ draft strategy in 2013 was a mixed bag. While they did address some of their key needs, the selection of Tavon Austin ultimately did not lead to the desired results. Austin’s career in St. Louis was plagued by inconsistency and injuries, and he never lived up to the hype surrounding him. He was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2017 after four seasons with the Rams.
The Rams did have some success in the draft, particularly with the selection of defensive tackle Michael Brockers in the first round. Brockers went on to have a solid career with the Rams, becoming a key contributor to their defensive line. However, the Rams’ overall success in the years following the draft was limited. They failed to make the playoffs in any of the next four seasons, and head coach Jeff Fisher was fired after the 2016 season.
The Rams’ draft strategy in 2013 was a mixed bag. While they did address some of their key needs, the selection of Tavon Austin ultimately did not lead to the desired results.
Tavon Austin’s NFL Career
Tavon Austin, the electrifying wide receiver and return specialist, entered the NFL with high expectations after being selected eighth overall in the 2013 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. His journey through the league was marked by flashes of brilliance, punctuated by inconsistency and injuries, ultimately leaving him with a legacy that is both intriguing and somewhat frustrating.
Tavon Austin’s Time with the St. Louis Rams
Austin’s time with the Rams was a mixed bag of exciting plays and unrealized potential. His explosiveness and agility made him a constant threat on offense, while his return skills provided an added dimension to the Rams’ special teams. However, he struggled to consistently produce at a high level, often hampered by injuries and a lack of defined role within the offense.
- Early Promise: Austin’s rookie season was a promising start. He showcased his speed and elusiveness, scoring two touchdowns on kickoff returns and earning a Pro Bowl selection as a return specialist. However, his offensive production was limited, with just 40 receptions for 418 yards and one touchdown.
- Injury Concerns: Injuries became a recurring theme throughout Austin’s time in St. Louis. He missed significant time due to various ailments, including a high ankle sprain in 2014 and a broken foot in 2015, hindering his development and consistency.
- Role Uncertainty: The Rams struggled to find a consistent role for Austin within their offense. His versatility was both a blessing and a curse, as he was often used in a variety of positions, including wide receiver, running back, and even quarterback, which sometimes led to confusion and a lack of clear identity.
- Key Performances: Despite the challenges, Austin had several notable moments in a Rams uniform. In 2014, he scored a 98-yard touchdown on a punt return, the longest punt return touchdown in Rams history. He also had a breakout game in 2015, catching 10 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals.
Tavon Austin’s Time with the Dallas Cowboys
After four seasons with the Rams, Austin was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2017. The change of scenery provided a fresh start, but it didn’t significantly alter his career trajectory.
- Limited Opportunities: With the Cowboys, Austin was primarily used as a return specialist and a gadget player on offense. He received limited opportunities to showcase his receiving skills, as the Cowboys had established receivers like Dez Bryant and Cole Beasley.
- Return Specialist Role: Austin continued to excel as a returner for the Cowboys, averaging over 25 yards per kickoff return and 10 yards per punt return during his time with the team. His ability to create big plays on special teams was still a valuable asset.
- Brief Offensive Contributions: While Austin’s offensive role was limited, he did have some flashes of brilliance. He caught a 52-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott in a 2017 game against the Atlanta Falcons, showcasing his ability to make big plays even with limited opportunities.
Tavon Austin’s Time with the San Francisco 49ers
In 2018, Austin signed with the San Francisco 49ers, looking to revitalize his career. However, his time with the team was short-lived.
- Injury Setback: Austin suffered a season-ending knee injury during training camp, which ultimately led to his release from the 49ers.
Tavon Austin’s Time with the Buffalo Bills
Austin’s NFL journey continued with the Buffalo Bills in 2019.
- Final NFL Season: Austin played in 12 games for the Bills, primarily as a return specialist. He struggled to make a significant impact on the offense, but he did return a punt for a touchdown in a Week 15 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- NFL Departure: After his time with the Bills, Austin was not re-signed by any NFL team, bringing an end to his NFL career.
Tavon austin draft pick – Tavon Austin was a highly touted draft pick, known for his blazing speed and dynamic playmaking ability. After being selected by the Rams, he eventually landed with the Green Bay Packers, tavon austin packers , hoping to revitalize his career.
Despite a few flashes of brilliance, he wasn’t able to recapture the magic of his early days, leaving many to wonder if his draft stock was ever truly fulfilled.
Tavon Austin was a hot commodity in the 2013 NFL Draft, known for his blazing speed and electrifying playmaking ability. The 2013 NFL Draft was full of surprises, and Austin’s selection by the Rams at eighth overall was one of them.
While his career didn’t quite live up to the hype, his draft pick remains a memorable moment from that year.
