Tavon Austin scares me

[ramblinjim]

So I keep seeing many of the prognoticators saying that the Steelers will pick up Tavon Austin in the first round of the NFL draft to replace Mike Wallace. Ok, so let's say he steps in Day 1 and replaces Mike Wallace? That would be great and you can't argue with the reasoning. But there is just something to me that says a 5'9, 174 pound guy just isn't going to take the pounding that slot receivers tend to take.

Am I insane? I'd rather have Eifert. I also realize that this is why the Steeles don't ask me my opinion.

[Oviedo]

Austin would be a terrible Round 1 pick. He has great talent but you have to question his durability. Now if you wnated to trade up in Round 2 to grab him I'm OK for that.

[supersteeler]

If I had to pick a WR from this class it would be Hopkins, he may not have the speed of Austin but would be more durable, but what I like about Hopkins he finds the end zone on a regular basis.

[TUNAS427]

2012 13 games 114 catches 1289 yards 11.3 avg 12 tds.....tavon senior stats Hopkins cant touch that

[steelz09]

2012 13 games 114 catches 1289 yards 11.3 avg 12 tds.....tavon senior stats Hopkins cant touch that

Lol - Hopkins had more yards, a higher average, and 6 more receiving TDs.

"Can't touch this" - MC Hammer

Hopkins 2013 stats:

2012 Game Log			Receiving
DATE	OPP	RESULT	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD
9/1	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2/auburn-tigers"]Auburn[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322450002"]26-19[/URL]	13	119	9.2	25	1
9/8	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2050/ball-state-cardinals"]Ball State[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322520228"]52-27[/URL]	6	105	17.5	34	3
9/15	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/231/furman-paladins"]Furman[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322590228"]41-7[/URL]	7	95	13.6	27
9/22	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/52/florida-state-seminoles"]Florida State[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322660052"]49-37[/URL]	5	88	17.6	60	1
9/29	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/103/boston-college-eagles"]Boston College[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322730103"]45-31[/URL]	11	197	17.9	58	1
10/6	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/59/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets"]Georgia Tech[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322800228"]47-31[/URL]	7	173	24.7	58	2
10/20	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/259/virginia-tech-hokies"]Virginia Tech[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322940228"]38-17[/URL]	3	68	22.7	37	1
10/25	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/154/wake-forest-demon-deacons"]Wake Forest[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322990154"]42-13[/URL]	6	64	10.7	25	1
11/3	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/150/duke-blue-devils"]Duke[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323080150"]56-20[/URL]	4	128	32.0	58	3
11/10	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/120/maryland-terrapins"]Maryland[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323150228"]45-10[/URL]	4	59	14.8	28	1
11/17	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/152/north-carolina-state-wolfpack"]North Carolina State[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323220228"]62-48[/URL]	2	75	37.5	62	1
11/24	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2579/south-carolina-gamecocks"]South Carolina[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323290228"]27-17[/URL]	1	43	43.0	43	1
Chick-fil-A BOWL
12/31	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/99/lsu-tigers"]LSU[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323660228"]25-24[/URL]	13	191	14.7	31	2

Tavon Austin Stats:

DATE	OPP	RESULT	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD
9/1	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/276/marshall-thundering-herd"]Marshall[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322450277"]69-34[/URL]	10	53	5.3	15	1
9/15	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/256/james-madison-dukes"]James Madison[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322590277"]42-12[/URL]	11	113	10.3	35	1
9/22	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/120/maryland-terrapins"]Maryland[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322660277"]31-21[/URL]	13	179	13.8	44	3
9/29	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/239/baylor-bears"]Baylor[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322730277"]70-63[/URL]	14	215	15.4	52	2
10/6	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/251/texas-longhorns"]Texas[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322800251"]48-45[/URL]	10	102	10.2	40	1
10/13	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2641/texas-tech-red-raiders"]Texas Tech[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322872641"]49-14[/URL]	10	92	9.2	38
10/20	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2306/kansas-state-wildcats"]Kansas State[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322940277"]55-14[/URL]	6	34	5.7	11	1
11/3	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2628/tcu-horned-frogs"]TCU[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323080277"]39-38 (2OT)[/URL]	11	101	9.2	43	1
11/10	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/197/oklahoma-state-cowboys"]Oklahoma State[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323150197"]55-34[/URL]	11	79	7.2	17	1
11/17	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/201/oklahoma-sooners"]Oklahoma[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323220277"]50-49[/URL]	4	82	20.5	41
11/23	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/66/iowa-state-cyclones"]Iowa State[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323280066"]31-24[/URL]	6	99	16.5	75	1
12/1	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2305/kansas-jayhawks"]Kansas[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323360277"]59-10[/URL]	4	110	27.5	44
NEW ERA PINSTRIPE BOWL
12/29	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/183/syracuse-orange"]Syracuse[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323640183"]38-14[/URL]	4	30	7.5	13

Tavon Austin Receiving Totals:

REC	YDS	TD	AVG	LONG
114	1289	12	11.3	75

DeAndre Hopkins Receiving Totals:

REC	YDS	TD	AVG	LONG
82	1405	18	17.1	62

Hopkins was consistent throughout the entire year. Why did Austin drop off so dramatically?

Austin's best receiving game = Baylor. Not knocking Austin here (he's a good player) but Baylor's defense is barely a cut above pee wee football.

Hopkins best game was on Clemson's biggest stage of the year... against LSU in the Chick-fil-a bowl in which he shreaded LSU's defense and won the game with a critical catch on 4th down late in the 4th quarter. Not to mention against a defense that is loaded with NFL prospects.

[steelz09]

2012 13 games 114 catches 1289 yards 11.3 avg 12 tds.....tavon senior stats Hopkins cant touch that

"Can't touch this" - MC Hammer

Hopkins 2013 stats:

2012 Game Log			Receiving
DATE	OPP	RESULT	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD
9/1	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2/auburn-tigers"]Auburn[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322450002"]26-19[/URL]	13	119	9.2	25	1
9/8	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2050/ball-state-cardinals"]Ball State[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322520228"]52-27[/URL]	6	105	17.5	34	3
9/15	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/231/furman-paladins"]Furman[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322590228"]41-7[/URL]	7	95	13.6	27	0
9/22	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/52/florida-state-seminoles"]Florida State[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322660052"]49-37[/URL]	5	88	17.6	60	1
9/29	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/103/boston-college-eagles"]Boston College[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322730103"]45-31[/URL]	11	197	17.9	58	1
10/6	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/59/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets"]Georgia Tech[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322800228"]47-31[/URL]	7	173	24.7	58	2
10/20	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/259/virginia-tech-hokies"]Virginia Tech[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322940228"]38-17[/URL]	3	68	22.7	37	1
10/25	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/154/wake-forest-demon-deacons"]Wake Forest[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322990154"]42-13[/URL]	6	64	10.7	25	1
11/3	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/150/duke-blue-devils"]Duke[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323080150"]56-20[/URL]	4	128	32.0	58	3
11/10	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/120/maryland-terrapins"]Maryland[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323150228"]45-10[/URL]	4	59	14.8	28	1
11/17	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/152/north-carolina-state-wolfpack"]North Carolina State[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323220228"]62-48[/URL]	2	75	37.5	62	1
11/24	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2579/south-carolina-gamecocks"]South Carolina[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323290228"]27-17[/URL]	1	43	43.0	43	1
Chick-fil-A BOWL
12/31	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/99/lsu-tigers"]LSU[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323660228"]25-24[/URL]	13	191	14.7	31	2

Tavon Austin Stats:

DATE	OPP	RESULT	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD
9/1	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/276/marshall-thundering-herd"]Marshall[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322450277"]69-34[/URL]	10	53	5.3	15	1
9/15	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/256/james-madison-dukes"]James Madison[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322590277"]42-12[/URL]	11	113	10.3	35	1
9/22	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/120/maryland-terrapins"]Maryland[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322660277"]31-21[/URL]	13	179	13.8	44	3
9/29	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/239/baylor-bears"]Baylor[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322730277"]70-63[/URL]	14	215	15.4	52	2
10/6	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/251/texas-longhorns"]Texas[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322800251"]48-45[/URL]	10	102	10.2	40	1
10/13	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2641/texas-tech-red-raiders"]Texas Tech[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322872641"]49-14[/URL]	10	92	9.2	38	0
10/20	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2306/kansas-state-wildcats"]Kansas State[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322940277"]55-14[/URL]	6	34	5.7	11	1
11/3	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2628/tcu-horned-frogs"]TCU[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323080277"]39-38 (2OT)[/URL]	11	101	9.2	43	1
11/10	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/197/oklahoma-state-cowboys"]Oklahoma State[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323150197"]55-34[/URL]	11	79	7.2	17	1
11/17	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/201/oklahoma-sooners"]Oklahoma[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323220277"]50-49[/URL]	4	82	20.5	41	0
11/23	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/66/iowa-state-cyclones"]Iowa State[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323280066"]31-24[/URL]	6	99	16.5	75	1
12/1	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2305/kansas-jayhawks"]Kansas[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323360277"]59-10[/URL]	4	110	27.5	44	0
NEW ERA PINSTRIPE BOWL
12/29	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/183/syracuse-orange"]Syracuse[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323640183"]38-14[/URL]	4	30	7.5	13	0

Tavon Austin Receiving Totals:

REC	YDS	TD	AVG	LONG
114	1289	12	11.3	75

DeAndre Hopkins Receiving Totals:

REC	YDS	TD	AVG	LONG
82	1405	18	17.1	62

IMO, Hopkins played against tougher competition. Hopkins was consistent throughout the entire year. Why did Austin drop off so dramatically?

Austin's best receiving game = Baylor. Not knocking Austin here (he's a good player) but Baylor's defense is barely a cut above pee wee football.

Hopkins best game was on Clemson's biggest stage of the year... against LSU in the Chick-fil-a bowl in which he streaded LSU's defense and won the game with a critical catch on 4th down late in the 4th quarter. Not to mention against a defense that is loaded with NFL prospects.

[Big Ern McCracken]

"Can't touch this" - MC Hammer

Hopkins 2013 stats:

2012 Game Log			Receiving
DATE	OPP	RESULT	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD
9/1	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2/auburn-tigers"]Auburn[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322450002"]26-19[/URL]	13	119	9.2	25	1
9/8	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2050/ball-state-cardinals"]Ball State[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322520228"]52-27[/URL]	6	105	17.5	34	3
9/15	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/231/furman-paladins"]Furman[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322590228"]41-7[/URL]	7	95	13.6	27	0
9/22	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/52/florida-state-seminoles"]Florida State[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322660052"]49-37[/URL]	5	88	17.6	60	1
9/29	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/103/boston-college-eagles"]Boston College[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322730103"]45-31[/URL]	11	197	17.9	58	1
10/6	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/59/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets"]Georgia Tech[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322800228"]47-31[/URL]	7	173	24.7	58	2
10/20	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/259/virginia-tech-hokies"]Virginia Tech[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322940228"]38-17[/URL]	3	68	22.7	37	1
10/25	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/154/wake-forest-demon-deacons"]Wake Forest[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322990154"]42-13[/URL]	6	64	10.7	25	1
11/3	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/150/duke-blue-devils"]Duke[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323080150"]56-20[/URL]	4	128	32.0	58	3
11/10	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/120/maryland-terrapins"]Maryland[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323150228"]45-10[/URL]	4	59	14.8	28	1
11/17	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/152/north-carolina-state-wolfpack"]North Carolina State[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323220228"]62-48[/URL]	2	75	37.5	62	1
11/24	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2579/south-carolina-gamecocks"]South Carolina[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323290228"]27-17[/URL]	1	43	43.0	43	1
Chick-fil-A BOWL
12/31	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/99/lsu-tigers"]LSU[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323660228"]25-24[/URL]	13	191	14.7	31	2

Tavon Austin Stats:

DATE	OPP	RESULT	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD
9/1	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/276/marshall-thundering-herd"]Marshall[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322450277"]69-34[/URL]	10	53	5.3	15	1
9/15	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/256/james-madison-dukes"]James Madison[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322590277"]42-12[/URL]	11	113	10.3	35	1
9/22	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/120/maryland-terrapins"]Maryland[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322660277"]31-21[/URL]	13	179	13.8	44	3
9/29	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/239/baylor-bears"]Baylor[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322730277"]70-63[/URL]	14	215	15.4	52	2
10/6	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/251/texas-longhorns"]Texas[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322800251"]48-45[/URL]	10	102	10.2	40	1
10/13	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2641/texas-tech-red-raiders"]Texas Tech[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322872641"]49-14[/URL]	10	92	9.2	38	0
10/20	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2306/kansas-state-wildcats"]Kansas State[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=322940277"]55-14[/URL]	6	34	5.7	11	1
11/3	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2628/tcu-horned-frogs"]TCU[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323080277"]39-38 (2OT)[/URL]	11	101	9.2	43	1
11/10	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/197/oklahoma-state-cowboys"]Oklahoma State[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323150197"]55-34[/URL]	11	79	7.2	17	1
11/17	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/201/oklahoma-sooners"]Oklahoma[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323220277"]50-49[/URL]	4	82	20.5	41	0
11/23	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/66/iowa-state-cyclones"]Iowa State[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323280066"]31-24[/URL]	6	99	16.5	75	1
12/1	[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2305/kansas-jayhawks"]Kansas[/URL]	W [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323360277"]59-10[/URL]	4	110	27.5	44	0
NEW ERA PINSTRIPE BOWL
12/29	@[URL="http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/183/syracuse-orange"]Syracuse[/URL]	L [URL="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=323640183"]38-14[/URL]	4	30	7.5	13	0

Tavon Austin Receiving Totals:

REC	YDS	TD	AVG	LONG
114	1289	12	11.3	75

DeAndre Hopkins Receiving Totals:

REC	YDS	TD	AVG	LONG
82	1405	18	17.1	62

IMO, Hopkins played against tougher competition. Hopkins was consistent throughout the entire year. Why did Austin drop off so dramatically?

Austin's best receiving game = Baylor. Not knocking Austin here (he's a good player) but Baylor's defense is barely a cut above pee wee football.

Hopkins best game was on Clemson's biggest stage of the year... against LSU in the Chick-fil-a bowl in which he streaded LSU's defense and won the game with a critical catch on 4th down late in the 4th quarter. Not to mention against a defense that is loaded with NFL prospects.

Don't forget... Tavon had 350 YARDS RUSHING against Oklahoma this year. All the more reason I take Austin. The kid is versatile.

[ramblinjim]

Alright, maybe I'm not just missing something after all. I saw one 'expert' had him as a top ten pick. I can only imagine Tayvon Austin doing a short middle of the field route and getting hit by Patrick Willis and then getting the dropsies for the rest of the season.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I want to get a big WR with body control a la Anquan Boldin. He and McKinnie were the two biggest reasons that the Ravens won the SB, and with the rules the way they are now, a Boldin type is the new prototype.

[Oviedo]

I want to get a big WR with body control a la Anquan Boldin. He and McKinnie were the two biggest reasons that the Ravens won the SB, and with the rules the way they are now, a Boldin type is the new prototype.

Sounds like you are describing Tyler Eifert, a "huge" "receiver" with great body control and the ability to overpower defenders.