Yes, that headline is indeed correct. While the Dallas Cowboys traded a 6th round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for Tavon Austin, they view the former West Virginia Mountaineer as a running back.
The #Cowboys traded for a RB, not a WR. That’s how they view Tavon Austin. Kind of like they had with Lance Dunbar.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 28, 2018
After seeing their top running back target Nyhiem Hines from N.C. State go off the board early in the fourth round to the Colts, Dallas obviously viewed Austin as a better pass catching back than any of the remaining potential draft picks.
NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks points out an interesting fact about Tavon Austin’s days as a high school running back that bodes well for the Cowboys’ plans for him.
Love it. Austin was 2-time State Player of the Year (MD.) in high school as a running back with 2,600+ rush yards as a senior. He ran for 300+ yards vs. OU at WVU as senior. The move to RB could make him bigger difference maker as an offensive weapon w/ @dallascowboys #NFLDraft https://t.co/PnZnEHi5cZ
— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) April 28, 2018
Austin ran the ball 59 times last season for the Rams with a 4.6 yards per carry average. No slight to the L.A. offensive line but Austin should be able to find even more running room behind the offensive line in Dallas.
Since being selected as the 8th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, Austin has accumulated 1,689 receiving yards, 1,238 rushing yards, 12 receiving touchdowns, 9 rushing touchdowns and 3 punt return touchdowns. It will be interesting to see how offensive coordinator Scott Linehan takes advantage of Austin’s versatility and play-making ability.
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