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Dallas Cowboys: Tavon Austin’s role confusing on purpose

By Steven Mullenax

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 09: Wide receiver Tavon Austin #11 of the St. Louis Rams runs with the football after a reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 9, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 09: Wide receiver Tavon Austin #11 of the St. Louis Rams runs with the football after a reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 9, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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It’s anyone’s guess what role newly acquired playmaker Tavon Austin will play for the Dallas Cowboys this season. And that’s the way this team wants it.

Like many first round selections before him, Tavon Austin entered the NFL with sky-high expectations. As the eighth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, and the first skill player off the board, the hype around Austin was insane.

That’s after the 5-foot-8, 179 pound dynamo put up video game numbers at West Virginia. During his senior season, Austin posted nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage. He racked up 114 catches for 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns as a receiver. Austin also recorded 643 yards and three scores as a running back. Now, throw on five career special teams returns for touchdowns and you have a very unique offensive playmaker on your hands.

Unfortunately, again like many first rounders before him, Austin’s transition to the NFL didn’t go as smoothly. During his five-year career with the Los Angeles Rams, the dynamic offensive weapon only showed flashes of the playmaker he was in college.

Considered by many to be a borderline draft bust, Austin’s best season with the Rams was in 2015 when he posted 52 receptions for 434 yards and four touchdowns. He also posted 473 rushing yards and five scores on the ground that year.

But the Rams drafted Austin to be their savior. Instead, they got a gadget player. So when the Dallas Cowboys traded a sixth round pick for the 28-year old during last month’s draft, they knew what they were getting.

The Cowboys are in desperate need for playmakers on both sides of the ball. After losing tight end Jason Witten to retirement and releasing wide receiver Dez Bryant earlier this offseason, Dallas needs to find new ways to move the football in 2018.

One wrinkle the Cowboys have been missing offensively is the role Austin is perfectly suited to play. It’s a role previously occupied by former Cowboys like running back Lance Dunbar and wide receiver Lucky Whitehead. Except Austin is a much better athlete.

So, what exactly is Tavon Austin’s role in Dallas? The Cowboys aren’t telling.

"“The beauty of you not knowing what it is, is the beauty of the other team not knowing what it is, too,” Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan told DallasCowboys.com about the role Austin will play in Dallas."

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Tavon Austin is expected to line up at wide receiver, running back and be the Dallas Cowboys’ primary special teams returner in 2018. How exactly all of that will be mixed together and how many touches he’ll get a game is anyone’s guess. But according to Linehan, keeping everyone confused is part of the plan.

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