Tavon Austin is a must for Minn...

[Purple Rage]

I know by now most of u have done your homework on the draft, just wanted to pick your brain. In my opinion I think it's a must we draft Tavon Austin. He fits the exact mold of Percy Harvin, a very explosive playmaker that can be used in all aspects of the offense and special teams. RB, WR, KR, PR. As much as Percy has left a bad taste in our mouths he was a big part of our offense an is one of the most electric players in the game. Tavon can do the same things, the more I watch his film the more I think we have to draft him with one of our first two picks. I like Patterson, Keenan, Hunter but in my opinion Tavon is a better option. Take another look an lend me your thoughts. SKOL VIKES


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http://youtu.be/T3_UNFZHSQU

[Funkytown]

Where do I sign?!?

[Texas Vike]

I agree! The kid surely is fast and got some moves. The question is what are the chances off him falling to 23? Vikings would have to move up the board some for sure if their going to get him.
Though I would like to see the Vikings get a tall, fast type of WR, this kid despite his size would be a great addition to the team.

There are folks that have heard whispers that the Vikings might move up to get him. I posted on this over in the "college and NFL Draft board" in the draft thread. It is all just speculation and at this time of year there is plenty of gamesmanship. But there is what? 22 days till the draft and not much going on, so why not contemplate the possibilities?

I think Austin would be a great fit in our offense. Some folks say we already have our slot guy in Jarius Wright. I don't see the problem. In fact, I think Musgrave's Offense and Ponder's abilities match up well with having a couple of "slot" type of guys: quick, shifty WRs that can take bubble screens and slants the distance with bursts of speed.

Some have pointed out that Tavon is like Percy but w/o as much muscle and thus he might be injury prone. Eli made a decent observation: Percy is 185 but his problem is that he plays as if he were 225 and that's why he gets hurt.

What I see in Austin is a guy who has no mistaken ideas about his strengths. He runs out of bounds when it's prudent. Percy wants to be AD. I also see a bit of a showboater, but not in an annoying way. He does it in a way that gets the fans and his teammates pumped up. It's a fine line, but I like what I see from this kid. I just wonder how far up we'd be willing to go up to get him. He won't last till 23.

[losperros]

I've watched Austin play several times and agree that he's an exciting player. As for his size, I agree with Eli. Austin is more likely to go out of bounds and avoid big hits, whereas Harvin is extremely strong for his size and will take defenders on. Harvin is going to be missed and I don't think Austin is as good of an all-around threat as he is. However, I would love to see Austin play for the Vikings and his return abilities are sorely needed now that Percy is gone.

Jarius Wright is not Harvin or Austin. Wright is much more a pure receiver from the slot or as a wide out. So I don't see him as a replacement for Harvin or as someone that couldn't be on the field the same time Austin is.

Okay, that said, what do the Vikings want? Fact is they have been talking about a big WR that can stretch the field. If that's the case, then I don't see them taking Austin, especially if they have to lose a draft pick to move up to pick him. There are tall WRs that can make catches downfield in the draft and I believe those are the ones the Vikings are most interested in right now.

[Mothman]

I've watched Austin play several times and agree that he's an exciting player. As for his size, I agree with Eli. Austin is more likely to go out of bounds and avoid big hits, whereas Harvin is extremely strong for his size and will take defenders on. Harvin is going to be missed and I don't think Austin is as good of an all-around threat as he is. However, I would love to see Austin play for the Vikings and his return abilities are sorely needed now that Percy is gone.

Jarius Wright is not Harvin or Austin. Wright is much more a pure receiver from the slot or as a wide out. So I don't see him as a replacement for Harvin or as someone that couldn't be on the field the same time Austin is.

Okay, that said, what do the Vikings want? Fact is they have been talking about a big WR that can stretch the field. If that's the case, then I don't see them taking Austin, especially if they have to lose a draft pick to move up to pick him. There are tall WRs that can make catches downfield in the draft and I believe those are the ones the Vikings are most interested in right now.

Well said. Austin's clearly a very talented player but by no means do I see drafting him as a must for the Vikings, who may be more interested in a different type of receiver anyway. I think they need to replace Harvin's production but they don't necessarily need to replace him with a similar player.

Austin's an explosive, speedy player and those are qualities any offense can use but I have questions about how effectively his game will translate to the NFL and consequently, I'd consider trading up to select him a questionable decision. Don't get me wrong: I think he'll be a good NFL player but we all know the speed of the college game and the speed of the pro game are different. I'd still expect Austin to make big plays in the NFL but against the size and speed of NFL defenses, he might be considerably less effective overall. If he's on the board when the Vikes pick, they should seriously consider drafting him but he's not such a "must" that they should trade up for him.

[PacificNorseWest]

Well...I completely I agree, but he has to fall to 23 first. I love the way he plays and I'm on board with thinking he is definitely an impact player, but I wouldn't exactly trade up for him either...Not when they have a few other crucial roles to fill.

[mondry]

Completely disagree, Tavon Austin would be a horrible pick with either of our firsts. He's much more likely to look like a Ted Ginn Jr clone than a Harvin clone at the NFL level and that's the absolute worst type of WR I could think of to pair with a QB like Ponder.

Spielman just shipped the best 5'8 175 pound WR away so clearly he thought what Harvin brought to the table was expendable, why draft another similar player HOPING he's comparable. Not to mention there's no way spielman makes that pick. You trade Harvin away then draft Ted Ginn Jr as a replacement? It'd be suicide.

On top of that, we already have 2 slot WR's in Wright and Jennings, yes both of them can play outside but why? Just so we can feel good about replacing Harvin with someone with a similar body type? It makes little sense, draft someone for the outside, someone who's either A. a deep threat, or B. big possession receiver, because guess what, that is what we've needed since Rice left. Jennings is a little bit of both I'd say, but in 2-3 years his replacement needs to be ready. I don't think Tavon Austin is the guy for the job, YMMV

[ViciousBritishVike]

Well...I completely I agree, but he has to fall to 23 first. I love the way he plays and I'm on board with thinking he is definitely an impact player, but I wouldn't exactly trade up for him either...Not when they have a few other crucial roles to fill.

Although I agree, unfortunately I think the Rams will select him as a replacement for Amendola. I actually think he can blossom into an even more complete player than Percy. Blessed with blazing speed, physicality and great hands, he'll be a versatile weapon and crucial part of some team's offense for many years to come. Truly exciting prospect.

[dead_poet]

Although I agree, unfortunately I think the Rams will select him as a replacement for Amendola. I actually think he can blossom into an even more complete player than Percy. Blessed with blazing speed, physicality and great hands, he'll be a versatile weapon and crucial part of some team's offense for many years to come. Truly exciting prospect.

I, for one, would be surprised if he ends up as dynamic/lethal as Percy. I'm curious what you mean by being able to "blossom into even more complete player." Is there something Percy can't do on the football field (attitude notwithstanding)?

[PacificNorseWest]

Golden Tate actually has decent production under his belt if you look beyond what only stats show. I don't see that comparison whatsoever. Not even close to the same type of player. Maybe the problem is that Vikings fans are comparing Tavon with Percy in the first place. I think he'll be twice the pro that Ginn is, but let's be real about Percy...Players like him don't come around too often.

Spielman just shipped the best 5'8 175 pound WR away so clearly he thought what Harvin brought to the table was expendable, why draft another similar player HOPING he's comparable. Not to mention there's no way spielman makes that pick. You trade Harvin away then draft Ted Ginn Jr as a replacement? It'd be suicide.

I think this is way too out of touch with the reality of the situation and maybe reaching too much to prove a point. Height/weight is irrelevant to me when evaluating a football player to the caliber of Harvin and then to a lesser extent, Austin. There's nothing to suggest that Austin's ceiling is only a Ted Ginn type. The facts are that Austin made plays all over the field and from different positions on that field. His playmaking ability was clearly evident and because we are all Vikings fans, it all seems way too reminiscent to what Percy brought to this offense, but the comparison may not be fair. Austin will still make a very fine pro though...In my opinion.

On top of that, we already have 2 slot WR's in Wright and Jennings, yes both of them can play outside but why? Just so we can feel good about replacing Harvin with someone with a similar body type? It makes little sense, draft someone for the outside, someone who's either A. a deep threat, or B. big possession receiver, because guess what, that is what we've needed since Rice left.

I can dig this reasoning and it makes sense. Probably one of the biggest factors as to why Minnesota probably doesn't go after Tavon if for whatever reason he's available at 23.

[Viva la Vikings]

Skip. I'd prefer a bigger reciever to stretch the field. FIngers crossed Patterson falls to us but would you guys be satisfied with Allen if we draft him?

[VikingLord]

I'd take Austin in a heartbeat not because he's a "Percy Harvin clone", but because he possesses rare speed and agility. There would be a place for him in the Vikings offense and special teams. With that said, I wouldn't move up to draft him, either. If anything, I'd expect Spielman to move down at this point.

As for Keenan Allen, I don't see anything special there. He's a solid receiver and could develop into a very good NFL receiver in time, but so could any number of other WR's who are likely to be on the board when picks #23 and #25 roll around. Allen is probably going to go in the 1st round and I honestly couldn't say I'd be upset if the Vikes used either of their 1st's to snag him, but I would not be excited.

I hope Spielman can make a move back into the early 2nd with a team that needs a QB and that passed on one in the 1st.

[PacificNorseWest]

The way I view Allen is that there isn't too much upside. Rephrased, I would say that his ceiling is a solid and productive pro, but his floor makes things a little riskier. He's polished, but like it was mentioned, nothing about his game stands out and he struggles in creating separation. If that was a problem in college then it worries me about what will happen at the NFL level.

I feel like they can get someone with more upside and whose game is more to what the Vikings needs are at WR, in the 2nd round. That's my take, but hey...I'm in my recliner right now. Armchair quarterbacking at its finest, men.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Again, when PH was here he wasnt a #1 WR, just a gadget kind of guy, and you think his role can be filled by a rookie. Dont we want a young tradition wide out? A taller. faster guy with hands? Austin wont be fit to tie PH's shoestrings for a few years.

[PacificNorseWest]

Who exactly has said they fully expect Austin to fulfill the same exact role that Percy had? It surely wasn't me or the poster above you. I understand where you're coming from, but there's no need to get caught up in the "traditional" WR M.O. if you have the chance to snag a talent like Austin. He's the type of player that can be used on any team. They'll get their 6'3" receiver in the later rounds if that's how it plays out.

You can't teach playmaking ability and football instincts. Tavon Austin has both of those.