Tavon Austin; Slipping Away From the Patriots
Tavon Austin has been on the Patriots radar as of late, but unfortunately, Austin is now on every team’s radar after his stellar showing at the NFL combine. Austin posted a 4.34 on the 40-yard dash and had the scouts in awe at his workout sessions. Unfortunately, it looks like yet another prospect will be off the “big board” by the time the Patriots pick. The Patriots, as we all know, like their value, and sitting there with the 29th pick, Tavon Austin would have been just that. He is compared often to a player like Wes Welker, but also has big play ability similar to Percy Harvin. He runs his routes sharp and has a first quick step like Welker, but has that innate ability to make a big play in the return game and take the top on defenses.
2012 stats for Austin ranked him 7th overall in touchdowns and his ESPN ranking was number 11 of all the wide receivers. This initial data served to think the Patriots could jump on him at 29 and get a high caliber player, with similar ability Welker, who is most likely on the out in New England. Austin recorded 114 catches for 1289 yards; that averages out to 11 yards per catch and those numbers are eerily similar to that of Welker’s. However, don’t get it twisted; these numbers are not in a vacuum as NFL defenses are far better than NCAA defenses.
The Patriots have three basic needs at the moment: offensive tackle, cornerback and wide receiver. If the Patriots lose any of their free agents in those positions they will be thin. I would like to see the Patriots address at least one of these needs through the draft, preferably both offensive lineman and wide receiver. Austin would be a great fit in New England, but we’ll just have to wait and see if he’s taken.
Josh Brown
@TitleTownTalkSB
