Rams: Ranking the Last Seven First Round Picks Heading into the 2017 NFL Draft

5. Tavon Austin – 8th Overall 2013

It is hard for me to put Tavon Austin this low on the list, simply because the wide receiver seemingly has an immensely high ceiling and could break out at any time. However, it is not necessarily a bad thing to be this low, as the rest of the guys on this list have impressed at the NFL level. If there’s one thing the Rams have done recently it’s drafting good guys.

However, despite this immense potential, Austin is yet to have the kind of year many would expect for him. While he can play wideout, Austin seems born to play the slot with his insane ability and ferocious speed off the line.  Austin is built to succeed in the NFL, and while he has been decent, some would expect more out of the eighth overall selection.

Austin has averaged 410 yards per season, catching only 12 touchdowns in that time. The receiver has also added 968 rushing yards with eight touchdowns, but his 9.1 average yards per catch and his catch percentage are fairly low. Last season, Austin only caught around 54% of his targets, something that needs to improve if he wants to reach that next level.

If you compare Austin to the next receiver taken in that draft, DeAndre Hopkins at 27th, and it seems like the Rams made a mistake. Sure, that is an unfair comparison, but even second round guys like Robert Woods (who is now ironically part of the team) have outshined Austin. Overall, Austin still has that ability to break through, he just hasn’t done so yet.