Are the Dallas Cowboys Tavon Austin’s NFL redemption?

Reggie Bush was selected with the second overall pick in 2006, and like Austin was also selected too high. Even though Bush is more running back than receiver and Austin is more receiver than running back, they are primed to both have a similar career arc.

In his rookie season, Bush rushed 155 times for 565 and caught 88 passes for 742 yards. His slight frame and lack of in-between-the-tackles running ability forced him to be more receiver than back. In fact, in Bush’s four years with the team he never even reached 700 yards rushing.

But he was able to become the prototype for a role/position the Cowboys envision Austin playing. It was not until reaching the Miami Dolphins in 2011 that Bush eclipsed 1,000 yards as a runner, and it was not until 2013 that Bush had arguably the best all-around year of his career.

Under then head coach Scott Linehan, Reggie Bush’s 2013 season statistics came out to be 223 carries for 1,006 yards rushing and four touchdowns, with 54 receptions for 506 yards and 3 touchdowns in only 14 games. Linehan was able to do what Reggie’s other coaches couldn’t fully do and create/execute a plan that enabled Bush to maximize his strengths and be as effective as possible.

Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan claims to have a plan for Tavon going all the way back to the 2013 draft. And while Linehan hasn’t done much to inspire hope, his 2013 season with Reggie Bush is a tangible piece of evidence that might suggest Linehan has the skills to create and execute a similar plan.

Just like Bush, Tavon Austin was selected too high for his own good and has had higher expectations than he’s deserved. Also like Reggie, Tavon’s first NFL stint left fans with more questions than answers. But the most important thing is by all accounts, he is still the same athlete he was in 2015.

And while the team would love that same production in the numbers, the team is not banking on an eighth overall pick to revamp their whole offense. The team simply needs to add another dynamic element to the offense.

With reasonable expectations and a smart game plan, there is no doubt in my mind Austin can be one of the X-factors of the offense that requires attention whenever he’s on the field. Austin does not play a role that requires excellent mental sharpness such as a quarterback or middle linebacker, he simply just needs to be his usual speedy, quick, and instinctual self.

It is just a matter of getting him in space. As long as Tavon still runs fast, is still quick, and still has natural instincts, he’s going to be physically capable of being just as effective as he was in 2015.

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Tavon Austin is not a guy who necessarily has to be ‘developed’, he’s a plug and play niche guy. The nature of being a niche player is that you don’t have to stray out of your comfort zone, just go out and use your natural gifts a few times a game. It all seems to be the perfect storm for Austin’s career revival.

Let’s hope it happens.