2013 NFL Draft: Tavon Austin is Drafted 8th Overall by the St. Louis Rams

December 1, 2012; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers running back Tavon Austin (1) rushes the ball against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first quarter at Milan Puskar Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

As widely speculated, the St. Louis Rams were enamored with West Virginia stud wide receiver Tavon Austin. With all signs pointing towards Austin coming off the board prior to the Rams pick at #16, St. Louis knew that if they wanted Austin, they would have to move up to get him.

With the Rams seeing Danny Amendola leave via free agency, the Rams were desperate to find an offensive weapon for young quarterback Sam Bradford. The Rams successfully achieved that by drafting the most electrifying wide receiver in the draft.

Austin will do it all for the Rams. He will operate out of the slot, catching balls over the middle and eluding tacklers left and right. Austin also brings explosiveness in the kick and punt return game where he excelled at WVU, taking one of each back to the house this past season.

This pick is exactly what the Rams need to become competitive in the NFC West, especially when you consider all of the offensive firepower that the other teams in the division possess. Austin will quickly evolve into Sam Bradford’s favorite target.

The St. Louis Rams moved up from #16 to #8 to select Austin by trading with the Buffalo Bills. As part of the trade, the Rams gave up a second round pick, third round pick, and a seventh round pick to make the move for Austin. The Rams did also receive the Bills third round pick along with the #8 pick used for Austin.

The impetus for the Rams moving up to #8 was to get ahead of the New York Jets who were widely regarded as the favorite to draft Tavon Austin. A great maneuver by the Rams to go get the guy they wanted.

Austin is the first WVU player selected in the 2013 NFL Draft. As always, it is a great night to be a Mountaineer!