The Rams dealt five-year veteran receiver Tavon Austin to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a sixth-round pick Sunday.
After an electric career at West Virginia, Austin became the eighth overall pick in the 2013 draft but thus far hasn’t evolved into an impact pro. He’ll get another opportunity in Dallas, where sources told NFL.com the team plans to utilize him with creative play-calls out of the backfield.
MORE: Tavon Austin’s career stats
Austin counted $14 million against the salary cap in 2017 when his production fell off to a career-low 13 catches for 47 yards, though he carried 59 times for a 4.6-yard average. After restructuring his contract, Austin will cost the Cowboys $5 million next season.
At age 28, Austin has appeared in 75 NFL games with 50 starts. While scoring on three punt-return touchdowns of 75 yards and longer, he also has fumbled 17 times on special teams.
Austin’s 288 catches at West Virginia and 3,413 receiving yards remain school records, as do the 344 rushing yards he amassed in a 50-49 loss to Oklahoma in 2012.