Week 15 vs. Tampa Bay
Tavon Austin caught three passes for 19 yards and also added 40 additional yards on four carries in the Rams Week 14 win over the Lions. New play-caller Rob Boras did a good job using Austin in a variety of ways to keep the Lions' defense on its toes. But while he's a dynamic real football player, Austin is a major boom-or-bust option in fantasy. He has the ability to take one to the house every time he has the ball in his hands but he's also just as likely to post a dud fantasy score in the Rams run-heavy offense. Ranked as our WR50 for Week 15, there should be better options on your waiver wire if you're looking for a wide receiver this week.
Week 14 vs. Detroit
Tavon Austin caught just 1-of-3 targets for 24 yards in the Rams Week 13 loss to the Cardinals. He also added two carries for an additional 14 yards. St. Louis fired offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti earlier this week and promoted tight ends coach Rob Boras to play-caller. The change won't matter, as defenses have long figured out how to scheme to take away Gurley and Austin. (The pair have also been undone by poor play from the offensive line and quarterback.) Ranked as our WR48 for Week 14, Austin is no longer a viable WR3 option.
Week 13 vs. Arizona
Tavon Austin caught all six of his targets for 33 yards and also rushed for 63 yards on four carries and a touchdown in the Rams' Week 12 loss to the Bengals. Austin had an impressive 60-yard run out the wildcat formation in the first half, which set up his and the Rams' lone score on the afternoon. Austin has explosive running ability and is a home run threat every time he gets the ball in his hands. But he's also the type of player that offensive coordinators need to manufacture touches for, which makes him a boom-or-bust fantasy player. Ranked as our WR44 for Week 13, owners should probably avoid Austin in a tough matchup versus Arizona. But for those owners that are desperate, he's the only Rams receiver worth taking a flier on as a WR3/4.
Week 12 at Cincinnati
Tavon Austin caught 1-of-5 targets for five yards and rushed once for an additional 16 yards in the Rams' Week 11 loss to the Ravens. Despite Case Keenum starting, St. Louis mysteriously left Austin out of the game plan last week. In fact, since Wes Welker was signed two weeks ago, Austin has touched the ball just seven times in two games. With Austin's role up in the air, his fantasy value has taken a hit over the last two weeks. Ranked as our WR49 for Week 12, avoid Austin as a WR3 and FLEX option for Sunday at Cincinnati.
Week 11 at Baltimore
Tavon Austin caught 2-of-4 targets for five yards while rushing three times for 18 yards in the Rams Week 10 loss to the Bears. He had a touchdown wiped out in the first half due to a holding penalty called on left tackle Greg Robinson. Outside of an opening-drive score, the Rams were a disaster on offense and both Austin and Todd Gurley were limited participates. Austin remains a boom-or-bust flex option in fantasy, although the addition of Wes Welker could hurt Austin's limited value. That said, the Rams will continue to manufacture touches for Austin, who with Gurley has been the entire offense to this point. Ranked as our WR33 for Week 11, viewing Austin as a risky FLEX play versus the Ravens.
Week 10 vs. Chicago
Tavon Austin caught 4-of-7 targets for 15 yards while also rushing eight times for 66 yards in the Rams Week 9 loss to the Vikings. Linval Joseph almost single-handedly took away St. Louis' inside zone runs, leaving OC Frank Cignetti to use Austin on multi jet sweeps, which comprised most of Austin's yardage. Cignetti has to manufacture touches for Austin on a weekly basis but that's not a bad thing when it comes to the receiver's fantasy value. Because the Rams only have Austin and Todd Gurley, Austin is a legit FLEX option for owners wanting a boom-or-bust play. He ranks as our WR30 for Sunday's matchup with Chicago.
Week 9 at Minnesota
Tavon Austin caught 4-of-7 targets for 98 yards and a touchdown while also rushing three times for 21 yards and another score in the Rams Week 8 win over the 49ers. While St. Louis' passing game continues to struggle, Austin now has six touchdowns on the season, which is a career high. OC Frank Cignetti has done a great job getting the ball into Austin's hands in a variety of ways and while he remains a high-risk, high-reward option, Austin has emerged as a WR3/4 moving forward. Ranked as our WR26 in standard formats, Austin will be a low-end FLEX option for Sunday's game versus the Vikings.
Week 8 vs. San Francisco
Tavon Austin caught 4-of-7 targets for 43 yards and rushed once for 21 yards in the Rams Week 7 win over the Browns. Offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti continues to get the ball in Austin's hands and the fourth-year wideout continues to be the No. 1 option in the Rams passing game. But the problem is the Rams operate a run-heavy, ball-controlled offense and Austin's touches are often manufactured through screens, end-arounds, etc. Desperate owners may want to roll the dice on Austin in a great matchup against the 49ers this week, but keep in mind he's a boom-or-bust option. He ranks as our WR40 for Week 8.
Week 7 vs. Cleveland
Tavon Austin caught 2-of-5 targets for six yards and a touchdown in the Rams Week 5 loss to the Packers. He also added three rushes for 22 yards as OC Frank Cignetti continues to get him involved in various ways. Cignetti seemingly has a much better grasp on how to use Austin than former play-caller Brian Schottenheimer did. That said, Austin isn't consistent enough to be considered a reliable fantasy option. The third-year receiver is also dealing with a thigh injury and missed practice time this week. Even if he were to play, he's merely a WR4/5 and should be avoided. Austin ranks as our WR35 in Week 8.
Week 5 at Green Bay
Tavon Austin caught 6-of-7 targets for 96 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams Week 4 win over the Cardinals. The former top-10 pick is now on pace for 860 yards and 12 touchdowns, making him a streaming option for desperate fantasy owners. The problem is the Rams passing game is so unreliable. For example, Kenny Britt caught seven passes for 102 yards in Week 3 but was only targeted once in Week 4. Now Todd Gurley had his breakout performance, the Rams are likely to keep the ball on the ground as much as possible, which will limit Austin's targets. Still, it's clear Gurley and Austin are the team's best playmakers, and it would be foolish for offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti not to design ways to get Austin the ball. Now is the time to pick him up if he's still available, just realize he's not a reliable option yet. Austin is our WR46 for Week 5.
