Tavon Austin is indeed an interesting player and would likely be a Harvin/McCluster type of WR/RB combination. IMO, whichever team drafts Austin will likely use him in a somewhat more limited specialist type role. I think that is reasonable because his speed and experience justifies using him as both a receiver and running back, however, as a runner, his very existence in a backfield kinda tips the hand as to where the ball may go. Most likely, his small size will also be a big negative as a pass blocker when playing in a running back role. As a pure speed type of wide receiver Austin is very, very good, however, I think it is debatable if he's even the best pure wide receiver on his own team (see stats link below).
Austin's stats from the 2012 season show that he rushed 72 times for 643 yards and 3-TD's, which is great when combined with his receiving totals. As a wide receiver In 2012 Austin had 114 catches for 1289 yards and 12-TD's. His total rushing & receiving #'s equal 1932 yards and 15-TD's which is excellent. However, IMO Austin is more of a luxury pick at this point in time for the Seahawks because there are at least two straight up wide receiver positions that need improvement first IMO (replacements/competition for Kearse & Martin). A great, tall, fast WR would be a good get for the Seahawks, but they don't grow on trees (especially after the first couple of rounds). Also, IMO The needs on the D-line are much more urgent than the needs at the wide receiver position right now.
Along with Austin in the West Virginia receiving corps is Steadman Bailey, 5-10, 190-lbs. who is about the same size as Golden Tate. Bailey ended up the 2012 season also with 114 catches but for 1622-yards and 25-TD's. Bailey isn't nearly as fast as Austin, it is indicated online that he runs a 4.49/40 (combine # could beat this time). Bailey's 25 TD's was tops in the college football stats, the next player down that list is DeAndre Hopkins (82 catches for 1405 yards) with 18 TD's, third on that list are two players tied with 14-TD's. The difference between Austin's 15 TD's and Bailey's 25 TD's is potentially 70 points on the scoreboard. That's a lot of difference.
If we accept the thought that PC/JS are pretty straight forward regarding team needs, what I've seen lately is that they desire players that are "touchdown makers" and "play makers" (obviously in addition to pass rushers as the highest priority). Considering that these two wide receivers had the same QB and teams around them and had the exact same # of receptions, stats to compare are: 25 TD's by Bailey vs: 15 (total) TD's for Austin. 14.2 yards per catch by Bailey vs: 11.3 yards per catch for Austin, (even with Austin's speed advantage). Bailey's longest reception was 87 yards, Austin's longest reception was 75 (again, even with Austin's speed advantage).
IMO, Steadman Bailey in round 3 would be a much better VALUE pick than Austin in round 1, this is especially true when one considers the somewhat generally accepted thought that a DT & rush DE are the #1 and #2 team needs. I think all of the top rated -tall- wide receivers will be long gone by round 3 of the draft, so if the Seahawks want a wide receiver in round 3 the pickings get a lot slimmer. A TD maker that comes in and competes with Kearse and Martin sounds good to me. I'd also like to see them draft Brandon Kaufman, WR, (6-4 214) in the later rounds for the tall deep threat role. RW needs more arrows in his quiver and bottom line, the object of the game is to score more points than your opposition, thus the need for a proven TD maker to be added to the mix.
Stats link:
http://espn.go.com/college-football/sta ... Touchdowns
Bailey evaluation/video:
http://www.thephinsider.com/2013/1/29/3 ... man-bailey
