NFL Draft 2013: Tampa Bay Buccaneers “Love” Tavon Austin
By Josh Hill
We’re about two weeks away from the start of the NFL Draft, which means teams are starting to narrow their wish list to a handful of players. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in an interesting position, as not only do they hold the 13th pick in the first-round, they are in trade talks to swap that 13th pick (and a few others) for Darrelle Revis.
But according to Peter King, and common sense, the Buccaneers are hesitant to trade that 13th overall pick and they’re growing impatient with the Jets. In the case that the Buccaneers stay put at No. 13, King believes that Tampa will select West Virginia wide out Tavon Austin, as the team “loves” him.
"At 13, Tampa Bay is growing impatient with the Jets on this Darrelle Revis trade. What I’m hearing is the current discussion is first-, third- and fifth-round picks for Revis, though I don’t know which picks are this year and which next. If the Bucs stay put, they love Tavon Austin."
I’ve mocked this pick twice now in my latest mock drafts and as we near the big day it’s looking like Austin being selected by the Buccaneers is more and more of a possibility. Tampa Bay needs a cornerback, and many see them taking Xavier Rhodes if he’s available, but in the scenario where he’s not — and it’s a very likely scenario– Austin is an ace option for the Buccaneers that could end up making them one of the most explosive offenses in football.
Tampa Bay already has explosive weapons like Mike Williams, Doug Martin and Vincent Jackson in town, which means adding Austin takes them over the top. Austin can not only be a speedy receiving threat, but he’s a return man who can also play out of the backfield.
Austin is a self-contained triple threat and fills two big needs for the Buccaneers while supplying a third option as well.
It’s no secret that Greg Schiano isn’t sold on Josh Freeman being his quarterback, but drafting Austin means the Buccaneers have an offense that just about any competent quarterback can play in with success.
Defensive back is a serious need, but if the Buccaneers have the option of drafting Austin when they go on the clock, they’d better think long and hard about it and come up with a damn good excuse as to why they didn’t take him while they could.