Bills Sign WR Tavon Austin

[deathadder]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...on-austin/amp/

Free agent receiver Tavon Austin has signed with the Bills. Austin announced the deal on social media with a photo of him signing the contract.

[YardRat]

That makes 12 in the receiver room for camp. That's a lot.

[cookie G]

Why?

[Canadian'eh!]

I do not know why they signed him. Off, but in McBeane we trust

[YardRat]

Why?

That's a great question.

[Turf]

Anyone sign Cole?

[Woodman]

Ok I guess

[Crisis]

Stevenson is a goner.

[swiper]

Why?

Punt returner?

After catching 194 passes with the Rams over the first five seasons, Austin has only caught 50 total passes over the last four years.

The 32-year-old has also been a solid punt returner throughout his nine-year career, including finishing fifth in the NFL in 2014, averaging 11.5 yards per-return. However, he's only returned a total of five punts over the last two seasons.

https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/sports...n-tavon-austin

[Goobylal]

Stevenson is a goner.

Yeah, I heard he looked bad in OTA‘s.

[Forward_Lateral]

Probably camp fodder

[Prov401]

Gotta be punt/kick returner insurance. It was obvious they weren't comfortable with Mckenzie last season, and early reports on Stevenson dropping passes this spring is probably why he was signed. Still hoping to see Shakir get opportunities there as well.

[Mr. Pink]

Brings speed.

Good choice for returns.

But we resigned McKenzie so I'm confused.

[Bill Cody]

I doubt he makes the team. He's an old 32

[Ed]

His chances to make it probably aren't great, but he's a vet that can bring competition and push the young guys. I'm sure it's a minimum deal with little to no guaranteed money. I'd say that final 6th WR spot is between Kumerow, Stevenson and Austin now. Or maybe they think that they might keep 7 WRs this year based on what Dorsey wants to do.

[Woodman]

Stevenson is a goner.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[Woodman]

His chances to make it probably aren't great, but he's a vet that can bring competition and push the young guys. I'm sure it's a minimum deal with little to no guaranteed money. I'd say that final 6th WR spot is between Kumerow, Stevenson and Austin now. Or maybe they think that they might keep 7 WRs this year based on what Dorsey wants to do.

No harm in seeing what he's got left ..... is he a longshot ... probably.

[DraftBoy]

That makes 12 in the receiver room for camp. That's a lot.

11 now, they just released UDFA WR Malik Williams.

[notacon]

Why?

The only reason I can think of is the Bills have a number of WR’s in mind for training camp.

They waived undrafted FA Malik Williams to clear a roster spot for Austin.

The Bills lost a lot of experience when Sanders and Beasley left. And McDermott has a history of not trusting rookies and makes an effort to protect them until they gain experience and trust.

They are probably going to keep seven WR’s on the roster for 2022 like they did for 2021.

These are most likely cast in stone...

1. Diggs
2. Davis
3. Crowder
4. McKenzie
5. Shakir

The other two will come from...

Stevenson
Kumerow
Hodgins
Gentry

And now, Austin.

Gentry and Hodgins are on thin ice.

Kumerow is valuable on special teams. Stevenson could be a lock if he nails down the return spot.

Going to be a very interesting training camp for valuable spots on one the most solid and talented rosters in the NFL.

[Forward_Lateral]

Austin is there to show Stevenson the job won't be just handed to him.