LA Rams: Three former players that will be missed the most in 2018
By Jason Reed
3. Tavon Austin
Most fans probably disagree with this sentiment because Tavon Austin did not have a great season for the LA Rams last year. The transition from a slot receiver and kick return specialist to a running back hybrid, like the Packers’ Ty Montgomery, did not go over well with Austin production-wise.
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Last season, Austin had just 47 receiving yards and 270 rushing yards in 59 attempts, which actually is not too bad. The switch to running back was an odd one as Austin was coming off a career-high in reception yards (509) and had plenty of room to grow at just 27 years old.
Something obviously did not gel with Austin in new head coach Sean McVay’s offensive game plan and it led to Austin being one of the most disappointing draft picks of this decade for the Rams. It made sense, logistically and financially, for the Rams to trade him to the Dallas Cowboys for a sixth-round pick during the 2018 NFL Draft.
Missing Austin will not be the same situation as the linebackers before him on this list. The Rams are not really losing out on any production by trading him because he was not producing much, to begin with.
However, in a new offense that desperately needs receiving help and has a great young quarterback and running back, Austin may thrive on the Cowboys. While he may not be a Pro Bowl receiver, the change of scenery may have been exactly what Austin needed.
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In fact, I think that Austin will have a great bounce-back year and have a huge impact in the offense and on special teams. When he does, every LA Rams fan is going to miss him and the failed experiment that was Tavon Austin and the Rams.