2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Tavon Austin
Prospect Name: Tavon Austin
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 174
40 time: 4.34
Vertical Jump: 32”
Tavon Austin dazzled at West Virginia University alongside fellow WR Stedman Bailey and QB Geno Smith. Although Austin had a terrific college career and even proclaimed himself the “best player in the draft”, there were still some questions surrounding Austin coming into the combine mostly because of his short stature. After lighting up the combine, he has solidified himself as a first round draft pick this coming April.
College Stats
Sophomore year: 58 receptions for 787 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Junior Year: 101 receptions for 1,186 yards and 8 touchdowns
Senior Year: 114 receptions for 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns. 72 carries for 643 yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Strengths
Austin is a quick and agile receiver that can take any play to the house. Very dangerous in the open field, Austin can turn a screen or drag to the house after one move. Flexible to move around in the offense but would excel in the slot. Terrific with screens, drags, and short routes, but can beat you vertically too as seen with his 4.3 40 yard dash time. The kind of playmaker that keeps defensive coordinators restless. Dangerous in space; tough to tackle in the open field. Explodes off the line. Good route runner with very sharp cuts. Can be an effective runner as well and is very effective on reverses and other misdirection plays.
Weaknesses
As mentioned above, Austin can beat you vertically, but he’s limited in the sense that he’s not a tall X receiver down-after-down- he’s situational because of his stature which is great but that also has its limits. Small- stocky so I don’t think that’s too big of an issue, but it obviously raises flags with durability and hits on the next level.
Overall
The combine solidified the fact that Austin has elite talent. He has the homerun-hitting skills to take the ball to the house any time he touches it. That game-changing ability will be valuable to any team, but he’ll be ideal in a system with established receivers already where he can create mismatches from the slot. His impressive production in various different packages in college will not change at the next level- special talent.
Projection: 1st round pick
Player Comparison: DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles, Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings
Good Team Fits: New England Patriots (if Welker walks), New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks
College Video Highlights:
*photo from www.theintelligiencer.net
