Will the Dallas Cowboys re-sign Tavon Austin in 2019?
The Dallas Cowboys made a draft day trade for wide receiver Tavon Austin in 2018. But did he do enough to earn another shot in Big D?
Ever since the Dallas Cowboys released former wide receiver Lucky Whitehead back in July of 2017, the team had been missing a gadget player with the speed to properly execute jet sweeps. The Cowboys thought they found that kind of player in wide receiver Tavon Austin last season.
The eighth overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft, Austin failed to live up to his lofty draft status with the Los Angeles Rams. And L.A. was willing to part ways with the fifth-year wideout in exchange for a 2018 sixth-round selection from the Cowboys last April. According to Spotrac.com, Dallas only paid Austin $1.87 million for his services in 2018.
Initially, Dallas viewed Austin as a web-back, as it was speculated the Cowboys intended to play the 5-foot-8, 180 pound veteran as a change of pace running back. But Tavon was cemented at wide receiver throughout training camp and that running back wrinkle was never really introduced.
In his first three games with the Cowboys, Austin posted five catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns, with a 64-yard scoring bomb from quarterback Dak Prescott in Week Two against the New York Giants exciting fans about his potential.
Unfortunately, Austin would only record a total of five receptions beyond Week Three as a groin injury sidelined him for nine games in 2018. Now, the soon-to-be 29-year old is scheduled to become a free agent in March. And it is unknown if the Cowboys will re-sign him.
One advocate for bringing Austin back to Dallas in 2019 is DallasCowboys.com staff writer David Helman. On Wednesday’s episode of the Cowboys Break podcast, Helman explained his reasoning behind wanting to keep the gadget player on the roster.
"” … I’m all about bringing Tavon [Austin] back mainly because of price. He’s the closest thing you have to a dynamic returner, he can do some of that slot stuff. I think you can get him back relatively cheaply. His injury history. His lack of really being able to find a true position. Bring him back very cheaply to be my fifth or sixth receiver/return guy. I’m fine with that.”"
One area Austin did have an impact last season was in the playoffs. In the Cowboys’ postseason victory over the Seattle Seahawks, Tavon had a 51-yard punt return in the fourth quarter. He also had an 80-yard return for a touchdown called back due to a holding penalty. The veteran proved he still has the speed to be a dynamic playmaker on special teams.
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The possibility that Tavon Austin is re-signed by the Dallas Cowboys this offseason could depend on the future of wide receiver Cole Beasley, who is also scheduled to become a free agent. If Dallas opts to allow Beasley test the open market, the team could sign Austin to assume his role in the slot as well as be their primary punt returner.