STRENGTHS
Austin is an underrated pass rusher with good size and length to impact at the next level. He has good explosion off the line and when it’s a passing down you can bet he will be in the backfield as quick and as fast as any other defensive lineman in this draft. Austin has those long arms and mature hand usage to defeat his opponent. He has good foot speed to run down players from behind and good change of direction to be used for stunts. Austin is underrated and it seems like, I’m the only one who knows why.
CONCERNS
First of all, Austin, has been playing this year hurt showing his mental toughness. Also, Austin is playing on a defensive line that has excellent overall talent so, he is getting lost in the shuffle… so to speak. Add to those issues, that Austin is not good at stopping the run. Most of it is because of his injury and the rest of it is because he lacks the lower body strength and, the lateral agility you would expect from a talented pass rusher like Austin.
TALENT BOARD ROUND 2.17
Austin is dropping like bird crap on windshield in this draft because he hasn’t worked out, as of this writing. This, in spite of being named Defensive MVP of the Cotton Bowl playing injured alongside all of that other talent. Think about that. It’s true that Austin will have to get better against the run but I have no doubt he will and I also, have no doubt that he will have double digit sacks. Don’t be fooled into thinking that this kid can’t play. If he wasn’t good he would not be on the field with all that other talent. I’ll give you the struggle against the run but, I’m not going for people thinking this kid shouldn’t be considered one of the top pass rushers in this draft. That just makes no sense at all when you see him on film, all year long, making plays in the back field in every game they played and playing with one arm in the Cotton Bowl and dominating. That just doesn’t make much sense to me. The team that selects Austin will be selecting one of the best pass rushers in this draft, that I know.
