The Los Angeles Rams offense has looked much more improved through the first two of the 2017 NFL season under new head coach Sean McVay. Not only do quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley finally look like potential franchise players, but this year’s rookie draft class has performed better than any other in the league so far.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for receiver Tavon Austin. The fifth-year utility man has had difficulty etching out a role in the new system. However, McVay says he is still looking for ways to get Austin incorporated with the offense, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN:
“Clearly he’s special with the ball in his hands and doing some of the different things you guys have seen, with the jet sweeps, playing the running-back position and being able to take some screens,” McVay said. “But I think he has a lot more in him, just as a complete receiver.”
Austin’s lack of usage so far is concerning, especially since he is among the highest-paid receivers in the NFL. While it is encouraging to see McVay trying to get him going, it is hard to imagine any substantial improvement considering all the weapons the Rams now have on offense.
Austin was expected to be a potential deep threat entering this season, however, the addition of wideouts Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods saw him slip further down the depth chart. Meanwhile, the Rams also may have the best rookie pass-catching duo in the NFL with Cooper Kupp and Gerald Everett that they still need to develop — which may leave Austin picking up the scraps.
