The Green Bay Packers are working the fringes to add talent to the offense and special teams unit in preparation for the final stretch of the 2020 NFL campaign.
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Green Bay is signing veteran wide receiver Tavon Austin. For what it's worth, Austin played for the Los Angeles Rams when current Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was on the staff in L.A.
The #Packers are signing veteran WR Tavon Austin, source says. Was with the #Rams when Matt LaFleur (pronounced La-Flew-er, @TomPelissero) was there.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 30, 2020
Austin played in 14 games with the Dallas Cowboys in 2019, finishing the year with 13 catches for 177 yards and a score while also tallying a rushing touchdown.
The former eighth overall pick has never lived up to the hype. Austin was a dynamo at West Virginia during his college years, but has not been much more than a gadget player or special-teamer since coming to the NFL.
Austin's best year came in 2015, when he totaled 907 yards from scrimmage–including 434 yards on the ground–and nine touchdowns. But he has mostly been a bench guy since.
Still, there is little downside to bringing Austin aboard for the Packers.
The 30-year-old is still one of the fastest players in football, and he can offer value in the return game or the running game. LaFleur's familiarity with Austin might also bode well in terms of how he incorporates the speedster into the Packers' system. Plus, Aaron Rodgers could use another deep threat.
Austin averaged 15.1 yards per reception in his two years in Dallas. Meanwhile, Rodgers is one of the best deep-ball passers in football, and having fellow burners like Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard could make Austin a bit more dangerous in the passing game with the Packers.
In any case, the Packers are hoping Austin can be another weapon in their offense.
Follow Us
Subscribe