Dallas Cowboys: Tavon Austin at running back is a game-changer

The Dallas Cowboys are taking on the challenge of finding the right fit for gadget player Tavon Austin. Will their plan to switch him to running back succeed?

The Dallas Cowboys surprised many recently when they pulled off a draft day trade, shipping a sixth round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for wide receiver Tavon Austin. Initially, Austin’s addition was seen as an attempt to fill a role along the Cowboys wide receiver corps, which is currently going through many changes.

After signing free agent veteran wide outs in Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson earlier in the offseason, the Cowboys choose to release longtime number one receiver Dez Bryant. In the draft itself, Dallas selected Colorado State wide receiver Michael Gallup in the third round and Boise State wide out Cedrick Wilson Jr. in the sixth. These moves sent a shock wave through this positional group.

So it appeared that initial feeling about Austin’s role on the receiver corps were correct, as the move seemed to simply be another part of the shake up process. His value as Dallas’ primary special teams returner was confirmed when the Cowboys traded 2017 fourth round wide receiver Ryan Switzer to the Oakland Raiders for defensive tackle Jihad Ward.

But things changed during a post-draft press conference, when Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones referred to Austin as being a “web back” several times. The term referring to a spider’s web, stretching out across the football field, being used in several different ways.

Instead of the 5-foot-8, 179 pound playmaker being a possible slot receiver to compete with Cole Beasley, Dallas envisions Austin being a versatile change-of-pace running back, on par with what the team had in Lance Dunbar a couple of seasons ago.

And according to one NFC executive, that move could be the key to unlocking Austin’s true playmaker abilities in the NFL.

"“Running back is [Austin’s] natural position,” an unnamed NFC personnel director told Bucky Brooks of NFL.com. “He’s had his most productive games at running back at West Virginia and in the NFL. He’s at his best with the ball in his hands, and he is an underrated runner between the tackles. … If he hadn’t been over-drafted, we would probably appreciate his skills as a runner a little more.”"

During his final season at West Virginia, Austin established himself as a true dual-threat. He recorded 114 receptions for 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns as a receiver. Austin also recorded 643 rushing yards and three scores on 72 carries as a running back. During his entire college career, the gadget player had an amazing average of 9.4 yards per rushing attempt.

Just last season, Austin posted a career-high 270 yards on 59 carries, averaging 4.6 yards per rushing attempt for the revamped Rams.  Although his numbers as a receiver have never matched his college production (never recording more than 58 catches for 509 yards in a single season), the former eighth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft has still posted an impressive average of 6.7 yards per rushing attempt over the span of his five-year pro career.

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If Tavon Austin is going to attempt to make the full transition from receiver to running back, behind the Dallas Cowboys offensive line is likely the best place to do so. This talented O-line should give the speedy Austin plenty of open running lanes, making him an instant game-changer for America’s Team. And playing behind the likes of All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys could have a real one-two punch as the former receiver gives Dallas a true change-of-pace back to pair with Zeke.