Buffalo Bills sign Tavon Austin

On Thursday night, WR Tavon Austin announced on Instagram that he signed a deal with the Buffalo Bills, bringing their WR core up to 12 rostered. Austin, a former first round pick, failed to live up to expectations and bounced around the league. Spending time with the St. Louis/LA Rams, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and now, the Buffalo Bills.

In a WR room loaded with talent, Austin will have an uphill battle to climb for a roster spot. So, where does the 10-year vet fit in with the team?

Punt Returner

The Bills will likely hold a battle during training camp for the return duties. Austin will be competing with Isaiah McKenzie, Marquez Stevenson, and (possibly) Jamison Crowder. He has made a name for himself returning punts throughout his career, totaling 1,483 yards and three TDs. Austin gives Buffalo more speed on special teams at a position they have been lacking in.

WR Room

If Tavon Austin cracks the 53-man roster, he likely won’t get many snaps on offense, with Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Jamison Crowder, Isaiah McKenzie, and Khalil Shakir handling those duties. Throughout his career, Tavon has never really been a big part of a team’s offense, mores making his money as a ST star. His best receiving season came in 2016 where he totaled 58 receptions for 509 yards and five TDs. (His best offensive season came in 2015, when he recorded 907 total yards and nine TDs on 104 total touches.)

Bills Connections

The Rams traded the 16th pick (E.J. Manuel), as well as a second (Kiko Alonso), third (Marquise Goodwin), and seventh round (Chris Gragg) picks in the 2013 Draft to select Austin (and T.J. McDonald in the third round).

In 2018, the Rams shipped Tavon off to the Dallas Cowboys for a sixth round pick after losing Cole Beasley to the Bills.