After reports of the transaction surfaced late Thursday, the team made the news officially a day later: The Buffalo Bills have signed former first-round pick Tavon Austin.
The team announced it’s a one-year deal for the wide receiver.
Austin, 31, was a first-round pick of the St. Louis Rams in 2013. He does have a slight connection to Buffalo because of that.
The Rams moved up in a trade from pick No. 16 to 8 in order to select Austin. Their trade partner? The Bills (Buffalo went on to draft QB EJ Manuel at 16).
Austin’s career has been a mixed bag and in recent years he hasn’t been a difference maker. In 2021, Austin had 24 catches for 213 yards and one touchdown with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, when he was productive, Austin was an extremely versatile weapon. The type the Bills covet.
In 2016, Austin had his best year as a receiver with 58 catches, 509 yards and three touchdowns. But Austin’s best season as a rusher was in 2015 when he carried the ball 52 times for 434 yards and four touchdowns.
To make the Bills’ final roster in 2022, Austin has a bit of an uphill battle. Two other players to keep in mind are Marquez Stevenson and Isaiah McKenzie, who both offer similar versatility to Austin.
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