2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

by Cory J. Bonini on March 4, 2013 @ 17:09:30 PDT

Follow @CoryKFFL

West Virginia senior wide receiver Tavon Austin is about as dynamic of a playmaker as they come among his fellow positional prospects in the 2013 NFL Draft class.

Austin posted fantastic statistics for the Mountaineers over the last two seasons, and he contributed significantly as a sophomore, as well. In 2010, he recorded a 58-787-8 line, which was followed up by a 101-catch, 1,186-yard, eight-touchdown effort as a junior.

Explosive versatility

Austin's senior campaign was his finest: 114 receptions, 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns through the air. He added three on the ground, bringing his career total to six rushing scores in four years. Additionally, Austin tallied five trips to paydirt in the return game in his collegiate career.

Strengths

Lightning quick in short space
Elite top-end speed (4.34-second 40-yard dash)
Very good start-stop ability - capable of accelerating to top speed very quickly
Very experienced, with proven results
Will create mismatches versus safeties, linebackers and most nickel cornerbacks
Tremendous ability to gain yardage after the catch - many of his big plays came on screen passes and short crossing routes
Explosive return man (both kickoffs and punts)
Rare lateral agility and elusiveness
Above-average route runner

Weaknesses

Size - 5-foot-8 1/2, 174 pounds - and durability concerns
Lacks strength to routinely beat NFL press coverage
Could struggle with ball security against more physical NFL defenders
Gives good effort as a blocker but typically is outmatched
Tends to be too focused on hitting the home run - can dance excessively

Expected draft placement

Austin's skill set resigns him to a slot role in the NFL, which rarely warrants a first-round pick. If he can prove his ability to beat press coverage, Austin has DeSean Jackson-like worth on the outside for NFL clubs. Austin's style of play is reminiscent of Green Bay Packers do-all wideout Randall Cobb or former St. Louis Rams receiver Az-Zahir Hakim.

While he deserves a respectable second-round grade, it seems increasingly likely that a team will take a chance on Austin in the first round. The St. Louis Rams (No. 22), Minnesota Vikings (No. 23) and Houston Texans (No. 27) all make sense for his landing spot.

About Cory J. Bonini

Cory is KFFL's General Manager. In late 2002, he joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, Bonini has been featured in print, on radio and on scores of websites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors. Follow @CoryKFFL