Tavon Austin

[Woodie]

I don't think it is fair to label Austin as just a slot guy. To me, he is someone that can be used anywhere, and he definitely can be used on the outside. Using ypc as a way of saying Austin is no Smitty is really not fair. First of all, they were used in completely different ways, so their numbers were skewed to their respective roles. Yes, Smitty's ypc was much higher, but he had less than half the catches than Austin.

Does that mean Smitty can only be used as a deep threat? No, just that that's how he was used at Utah. It's the same thing with Austin. He wasn't used as a deep threat, but that doesn't mean he can't do it. He certainly has the deep speed and quickness to blow by most corners...and the strength to fight through hand checks. He's also close to the same size Smitty was when he came out, and is solidly built, so I'm really not as concerned about his durability as some.

Now just looking at him compared to Smitty, it's not really all that ridiculous to say that they can be similar players (as in being legit #1 receivers that rely on their speed and athleticism to overcome their lack of height). Really, the biggest difference is that while Austin is just as explosive as Smitty, he's clearly faster and quicker than Steve ever was, but he's not the leaper that Steve is.

With all that said, I go back and forth on if I would be happy with him at 14. I guess it would depend on who's there. Right now, I think we desperately need to fix our DT's and the right side of our OL, so I don't know if I could pass on one of those positions for a WR, no matter how electric he may be. And while corner is also a big need, I think anyone other than Milliner would be a huge reach at our spot (I'm just not sold on Trufant's toughness or Rhodes savvy and instincts). But if everything plays out where a WR is our pick, then I think Austin would be my first choice, way ahead of Patterson and Allen (both of whom I think will be good players).

[Bronn]

Also, LOL at wanting to make a statement about how a converted RB is not a deep threat, while failing to realize that he was one of the most dangerous WRs in the country and he was a CONVERTED RB WHO IS USED TO COMING OUT OF THE BACKFIELD.

C'mon man. Educate yourself and stop talking about AVG or YAC or all of that. The dude is a weapon. Teams need weapons. Especially the Panthers. Hell, even when he carried the ball as a RB, he had a great average. Last year alone he averaged like 230 YPG as one player. Second overall in the nation. Second overall all-time for NCAA WRs IIRC. AND THAT WAS IN AN OFFENSE WHERE HE WASN'T NECESSARILY THE PRIMARY WEAPON.

Or, if you'd rather, we can continue to draft later round WRs and keep waiting for them to develop into something at the next level... (see Colbert, Carter, Jarrett, Robinson, LaFell, Gettis, Edwards, Pilares, Adams)... How long did we wait (and are we still waiting) on some of those guys to develop? lol

[Zaximus]

I would think it's easier to find deep threats in other rounds/FA than it would be to find a Percy Harvin type player like Austin. You don't pass on elite weapons that fall to you.

[Growl]

I'm honestly starting to think he may be the first receiver off the board at 8 to Buffalo. Don't know that he's worth that, but I think it's a legitimate possibility.

[Squirrel]

I'm honestly starting to think he may be the first receiver off the board at 8 to Buffalo. Don't know that he's worth that, but I think it's a legitimate possibility.

Yeah saw some mocks have him in the top 10. Will be interesting to see where he goes. Even at 14 I think the Panthers should trade down or take a WR in the 2nd. To many needs for this team.

[jungleking]

What is this slow thing people have with Adams??

You can't be a the best Special Team returner in the SEC and be slow.

Please don't let a 40' time fool you. He is way faster in pads during game time.

He does need to work on his hands but he is a perfect fit to play slot WR.

He fumbles all the time. You can't put a player on the field consistently when he's jeopardizing your possession constantly. A guy whose hands need work isn't a 'perfect fit' to play receiver, either.

[jungleking]

And I'm seeing a slot guy in Tavon, too. That's not a terrible thing, though, as more teams are moving towards having three receivers on the field a majority of the time. I wonder if he's going to be able to make plays at every level of the defense with his size, but the NFL is becoming more and more of a space league. Don't really love him at 14, though. We've got enough guys on this offense who need to have the ball in their hands to be a threat.

[YoungPanthers89]

[koolkatluke]

He fumbles all the time. You can't put a player on the field consistently when he's jeopardizing your possession constantly. A guy whose hands need work isn't a 'perfect fit' to play receiver, either.

So are we going to sit here and make a final judgment on him after 1 season? Tiki Barber work his self out of this problem. The question is does Adams have the talent to be a good slot WR? I think he does.

[jarhead]

And I'm seeing a slot guy in Tavon, too. That's not a terrible thing, though, as more teams are moving towards having three receivers on the field a majority of the time. I wonder if he's going to be able to make plays at every level of the defense with his size, but the NFL is becoming more and more of a space league. Don't really love him at 14, though. We've got enough guys on this offense who need to have the ball in their hands to be a threat.

I personally like Tavon but I also know you can not fall in love with draft picks.The real question is his size and how will that hinder him against physical dbs? Do you run wr formations where the slot will be on the field allot? If not,can you use him in the running game?

Personally I like his versatility and would take him.He will be special in the NFL with the right team.To me it is very difficult to predict where he will be drafted without understanding what schemes your OC will be running and adjust your scheme for his freakish talent but for some who compare him to the second coming of Joe Adams is just ridiculous.

if you listened to the Kiper/Mcshay podcast, or better yet watched him it is well documented he runs precise routes, plays though pain, and is the most explosive and proven WR in the draft and has the stats to back it.. Mike Mayock and Charles Davis love the guy..anyone who has watched him feels he is a special talent.

[jarhead]

So are we going to sit here and make a final judgment on him after 1 season? Tiki Barber work his self out of this problem. The question is does Adams have the talent to be a good slot WR? I think he does.

I think if you would evaluate him for the talent that he is and take Adams out of the equation you would see he is a very special talent with the ability to be a game changer with his versatility.Very few players in the NFL share his ability not just Adams.I think he could easily account for 1500 yards per season.

[jungleking]

So are we going to sit here and make a final judgment on him after 1 season? Tiki Barber work his self out of this problem. The question is does Adams have the talent to be a good slot WR? I think he does.

The fact that one player fixed that problem doesn't mean Adams will. It's also very hard to develop an all-around game when you have to reinvent the way you perform fundamental tasks like holding onto the football.

[Bronn]

It doesn't matter how big you are if you play like you're 10 feet tall and bulletproof... Just ask Smitty...

[Growl]

Lol kkl

"Dont believe Adams 40 time! It doesn't count!"

Preceded by

"look at CP's 40 time! He clearly isn't an athlete!"