Dallas Cowboys Bold Prediction: Tavon Austin will lead team in receptions
By Randy Gurzi
The Dallas Cowboys may be over-hyping the addition of receiver/running back Tavon Austin, but he still could be the leader in receptions in 2018
Recently Dallas Cowboys director of player personnel Stephen Jones went all-in when discussing the options the team has in their newly acquired offensive weapon — Tavon Austin.
Jones, who at time has the unbridled optimism of his father Jerry Jones, said that the team plans to get the ball to Austin a lot.
And he really meant a lot.
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Let’s just stop right there. If Tavon Austin is getting 24 touches in a game, something has really gone wrong for the Cowboys. However, that doesn’t mean he won’t help their offense. And by help, I mean lead them in receptions in 2018.
While this may feel like another case of blowing Austin’s speed and potential out of proportion, it’s not. It’s bold prediction, but it’s one that makes sense. The Cowboys offense is nothing like it was a few short seasons ago when they went all in on making it Romo-friendly.
Dallas fas surely remember how they made sure to tailor the roster to what former quarterback Tony Romo liked to do. He liked bigger receivers who could win contested passes and worked off timing and rhythm.
Well, that was the past. This offense is now led by Dak Prescott, and the team needs to make this thing Dak-friendly. This includes a heavy dose of running the ball and a lot of plays closer to the line of scrimmage.
In 2016, that was the recipe for success as Prescott got the ball to slot receiver Cole Beasley 75 times for 833 yards. He also was able to connect with tight end Jason Witten for another 673 yards and 69 receptions.
Those connections weren’t as automatic in 2017, but the offense as a whole was a shell of itself. Heading into 2018, Dallas hopes to achieve that success on the short patterns and they’ve made the moves necessary to do that.
Adding guard Connor Williams out of Texas shores up their one weak spot on the line and the fact that running back Ezekiel Elliott has no suspension looming over his head will also help.
This means the offense should resemble 2016 more so than 2017 — minus of course Witten and wide receiver Dez Bryant who are no longer with the club.
Bringing it back to Austin, he could not only offer some help as a slot receiver, but also a third-down back for the Boys. He’s been rumored to play both spots, which means it’s likely the team has several ideas of how to use his unique skill set.
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Looking at his role as a receiving back, he could be used in the same role Reggie Bush played for offensive coordinator Scott Linehan while the two were in Detroit. Bush had 54 receptions in 2013 with Linehan calling the plays, which shows he can get the ball to a running back through the air. Couple that with the work Austin will do in the slot and he could very easily put together his best season, and lead the Cowboys in receptions.
Again, this is an offense predicated on the run, so it’s not like Austin will be breaking any records, but he could look like a steal for the sixth-round pick Dallas surrendered for him.