Cowboys to re-sign Tavon Austin; Can Kellen Moore unlock his potential?
The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms with gadget receiver Tavon Austin. Can new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore unlock his potential?
The Dallas Cowboys lost slot receiver Cole Beasley to the Buffalo Bills earlier this week via free agency. In response, the Cowboys have now agreed to terms with gadget wideout Tavon Austin. It is reportedly a one-year deal and the details of the contract have yet to be disclosed.
A former first-round selection (eighth overall) by the St. Louis Rams during the 2013 NFL Draft, Austin underwhelmed during his first five seasons in the NFL. His best year coming in 2015 when he posted 52 receptions for 473 yards and five scores while averaging 9.1 yards per catch.
The Cowboys traded a 2018 sixth-round selection (192nd overall) to the Rams for Austin, who had just one-year left on his deal. Calling him a web back and despite early reports that Dallas was acquiring Tavon as a running back, the veteran remained at receiver last season.
Unfortunately, a shoulder and a groin injury limited Austin to seven games in 2018. And former Cowboys’ offensive coordinator Scott Linehan was never really able to utilize the speedster’s unique abilities, as he posted just eight receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
Where Austin did shine at times was on special teams, including a 51-yard punt return in the playoffs. He’ll certainly provide the Cowboys some pop as a returner this upcoming season.
But the real question is can new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore succeed where his predecessor and the Rams have failed? Can Moore be the one to unlock Austin’s potential? Now 29-years old, and entering his seventh NFL season, Tavon is far from the player that posted nearly 2,000 all-purpose yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns during his Senior year at West Virginia in 2012.
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With Cole Beasley now playing in Buffalo, the 5-foot-8, 180 pound Tavon Austin should be in-line to receive more opportunities to help the Dallas Cowboys in 2019. But it could be up to an unproven, first-year offensive coordinator to maximize his impact.