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Rams dumping Tavon Austin

Can elusive receiver blossom for a different team?

The Rams are getting rid of Tavon Austin. Not a surprise; he hasn’t done enough to merit the big contract he signed prior to the 2016 season – not even close. Doesn’t catch the ball well enough, and hasn’t made enough big plays.

For most of his time with the Rams, they tried to throw him short passes, hoping he could break loose for long gains. But that’s tough to do. He’s not a great route runner or catcher of the football (especially in traffic or in contested situations), and it’s not easy running away from NFL defensive backs.

The Rams pretty much gave up on him last three, making him their fourth (sometimes even fifth) receiver behind Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and Sammy Watkins. He ended up playing more as a reserve running back rather than a wide receiver.

For most of his five years with the Rams, Austin caught short passes near the line of scrimmage, but rarely did he do much of anything with them, averaging only 8.7 yards per catch.

Over the last three years, the Rams threw 215 passes his way, but those generated just 123 catches and 1,029 yards – under 5 yards per pass play. That’s almost 2 yards (per play) behind all 62 of the other wide receivers around the league who’ve seen at least 200 passes. He’s been completely ineffective.

YARDS PER PASS ATTEMPT (last 3 years)
PlayerTgtRecYardsAvgTD
Julio Jones, Atl.4803074,7249.817
Sammy Watkins, tms2181272,0709.519
Adam Thielen, Minn.2521722,3879.59
Brandin Cooks, tms3602273,3939.424
Rishard Matthews, tms2561612,4029.417
Doug Baldwin, Sea.3442473,1889.329
DeSean Jackson, tms2391362,2019.211
Antonio Brown, Pitt.5103434,6519.131
Marvin Jones, tms3131812,8479.117
Willie Snead, N.O.2211491,9718.97
A.J. Green, Cin.3752273,3398.922
T.Y. Hilton, Ind.3982173,5388.915
Michael Thomas, N.O.2701962,3828.814
Tyler Lockett, Sea.2061371,8168.89
Ted Ginn, tms2621512,2788.718
Terrance Williams, Dall.2321492,0028.67
Kenny Britt, tms2261241,9398.610
Keenan Allen, LAC2551752,1818.610
Stefon Diggs, Minn.2912002,4728.515
Odell Beckham, NYG3682223,1198.526
Travis Benjamin, tms2621492,2108.413
Allen Hurns, Jac.2371381,9928.415
DeVante Parker, Mia.2331391,9088.28
Amari Cooper, Oak.3582032,9038.118
Kenny Stills, Mia.2491272,0138.118
Robert Woods, tms2411541,9468.19
Dontrelle Inman, tms2041181,6398.08
Jamison Crowder, Wash.2801922,2408.012
Mike Wallace, tms2801632,2388.010
John Brown, Ariz.2291251,8197.912
Pierre Garcon, tms2921912,3187.99
Alshon Jeffery, tms3081632,4177.815
Mohamed Sanu, tms2261591,7507.79
Jermaine Kearse, tms2591552,0057.711
Mike Evans, T.B.4572413,5287.720
Danny Amendola, N.E.2021491,5507.79
Allen Robinson, Jac.3031542,3007.620
Jeremy Maclin, tms2721712,0647.613
Eric Decker, tms2361431,7847.615
Golden Tate, Det.3832732,8937.615
Marqise Lee, Jac.2331341,7447.57
Jordan Matthews, tms2791832,0837.512
Emmanuel Sanders, Den.3652022,7227.513
DeAndre Hopkins, Hou.5172853,8537.528
Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz.4563253,3947.421
Adam Humphries, T.B.2061431,5137.34
Brandon Marshall, tms3341862,4447.317
Julian Edelman, N.E.2471591,7987.310
Devin Funchess, Car.2321171,6847.317
Jordy Nelson, G.B.2401501,7397.220
Demaryius Thomas, Den.4612783,3367.216
Jarvis Landry, Mia.4583163,2807.217
Cole Beasley, Dall.2361631,6837.114
Brandon LaFell, tms2701531,9257.19
Davante Adams, G.B.3321992,3657.123
Donte Moncrief, Ind.2081201,4316.915
Randall Cobb, G.B.3052052,0926.914
Nelson Agholor, Phil.2081211,4166.811
Dez Bryant, Dall.3001502,0356.817
Anquan Boldin, tms2061361,3736.712
Michael Crabtree, Oak.3922322,5436.525
Kamar Aiken, tms2211191,4056.46
Tavon Austin, LAR2151231,0294.88

Austin does have some value as a kick returner. He scored 3 TDs on punt returns with the Rams (although none in the last two years). He also scored 9 TDs on runs for them.

Austin has finished with over 150 rushing yards in each of his five seasons. Only two other active wide receivers have run for 150 yards in a season, and they’ve each done it just once.

WIDE RECEIVERS WHO RUN (last 10 years)
Year PlayerAttYardsAvgLongTD
2015Tavon Austin, St.L.524348.4604
2009Josh Cribbs, Clev.553816.9371
2012Percy Harvin, Minn.523456.6392
2010Brad Smith, NYJ382997.953t1
2017Tavon Austin, LAR592704.627t1
2016Tyreek Hill, K.C.2426711.170t3
2014Tavon Austin, St.L.362246.2192
2009Brad Smith, NYJ1820711.5571
2014Percy Harvin, Sea.-NYJ332026.1511
2008Josh Cribbs, Clev.291675.8271
2016Tavon Austin, LAR281595.730t1
2013Cordarrelle Patterson, Minn.1215813.250t3
2010Jacoby Ford, Oak.1015515.571t2
2013Tavon Austin, St.L.915116.865t1
2009DeSean Jackson, Phil.1113712.567t1
2009Percy Harvin, Minn.151359.0350
2012Randall Cobb, G.B.1013213.2280
2017Cordarrelle Patterson, Oak.131219.347t2
2014Cordarrelle Patterson, Minn.1011711.7671
2012Brad Smith, Buff.141168.3351
2010Mike Thomas, Jac.121149.5330
2016Tyler Lockett, Sea.611419.075t1
2008Brad Smith, NYJ121139.4360
2015Jarvis Landry, Mia.181136.3221
2008Eddie Royal, Den.111099.9710
2015Lucky Whitehead, Dall.1010710.7330
2010Percy Harvin, Minn.181075.917t1
2013Alshon Jeffery, Chi.161056.6380
2010DeSean Jackson, Phil.161046.531t1

Most likely Austin will have to settle for a lesser contract somewhere. I expect that he’ll be a third fourth wide receiver for some team while also returning punts.

—Ian Allan

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