NY Jets: Tavon Austin would be a fun addition after workout

The NY Jets made quite a few additions to the offensive side of the ball in the offseason. But could they be set for one more in the form of the electric Tavon Austin?

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday that the Jets had brought in Austin for a workout and that it "went well."

Austin starred at West Virginia as a do-it-all playmaker in one of the most dynamic offenses in college football history. His success at WVU led to him being selected eighth overall by the then St. Louis Rams in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Austin never lived up to expectations with the Rams, but his speed and playmaking ability has allowed him to hang around in the NFL for close to a decade. Could his next stop be with the Jets?

The NY Jets could benefit from signing Tavon Austin

Despite falling short of expectations, Austin did manage to spend the first five years of his career with the Rams. His best season as a receiver likely came in 2016 when he started 15 games and hauled in 58 catches for 509 yards and three touchdowns.

Austin was an exciting player with the ball in his hands as he even topped 400 rushing yards in 2015 and totaled at least 150 yards on the ground in each season with the Rams.

Unfortunately, he's been used somewhat sparingly since leaving Los Angeles spending the 2018 and 2019 seasons with the Cowboys playing a reserve role.

Austin was signed by the San Francisco 49ers in August of last year after a slew of injuries at the wide receiver position, but an injury prevented him from ever seeing the field.

He was picked up by the Green Bay Packers in December which is where he spent the final month of the season, recording five catches for 20 yards in four games.

Austin evidently isn't the player he used to be. But that doesn't mean he wouldn't be a worthwhile addition for the Jets.

The Jets have been looking for speed on offense all offseason and few players epitomize that trait more than Tavon Austin. Even at the age of 31, few players are more dynamic and electric with the ball in their hands.

While he wouldn't be a full-time contributor on offense, Austin could be brought in as extra competition on the receiver depth chart as well as the team's primary punt returner.

The Maryland native is a perfect fit for new offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur's offense, and he notably excelled in that system last summer prior to his injury.

As a special-teamer/returner/gadget offensive player, Tavon Austin is certainly worth a look. At the very least, he'd be a fun addition to the Jets' roster.

Here's to hoping a deal gets done.